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Two Paragraphs for Value of Mythology for English 9A We have discussed the value of mythology and what myths do. It is now your time to take the two major aspects of mythology and discuss each of them thoroughly in TWO WELL-DEVELOPED paragraphs. This will involve strong topic sentences and plenty of support in the form of examples and your discussions about how the examples prove your point. In these two paragraphs, you will be proving that the “value” of mythological stories is that they taught ancient peoples how to behave, and they helped explain to man the unexplainable events around him. Use the chart handed out in class to decide for yourselves which stories you have read that best demonstrate that myths taught and explained. Each body paragraph should have at least two examples to prove your point. If one of your paragraph begins, “One important function of Greek mythology was to explain things that could not be explained, like phenomena in the natural world…”, be prepared to discuss two stories you have read that reveal this idea. Follow up your description of the essential elements of the plot of each story with an explanation of how these examples reveal the Ancient Greeks used myth to make sense of the unknown. End your paragraph with a thoughtful clincher sentence that wraps up your main point. TAKE GOOD NOTES THE DAY WE DISCUSS THIS ASSIGNMENT!! Here is the list of mythological stories we have read that teach, explain, and entertain: “Arachne” “Prometheus” “Pandora” “Persephone” “Daedalus and Icarus” “Phaethon” “Narcissus and Echo” “Orpheus and Eurydice” Scoring: Content Topic sentence that directs reader to what will be proven Two examples that support the claim made in topic sentence Each example is discussed so that reader sees HOW the examples prove topic At least one quoted passage use to discuss events of myth Clincher sentence that is not redundant Language No run-ons or fragments Lead into quotes properly No use of “I,” “me,” “we,” etc. Proper spelling/Correct word choices You may not use the specific ideas presented in the following example of a body paragraph, but you may use the “style” and some wording of sentences. Sample – Purpose of Myth Paragraph One purpose of mythology for the Ancient Greeks was to teach fellow citizens how to behave in society. The Greeks did not have written codes or laws dictating how to live in the world—they had no “book” of rules, but they did have the stories of gods and mortals. For instance, there are several myths showing what happened to both mortal and some divine beings if major gods were not shown proper respect. One myth, entitled “Arachne,” describes the fate of a very skilled weaver who refuses to thank Athena for her ability to spin cloth better than all other mortals. She even challenges the gray-eyed goddess to a contest, showing hubris and no fear for her actions when insulting not only Athena but other deathless god of Olympus. The result of her arrogance and brazenness is a curse from Athena: Arachne is transformed into the first spider, to weave her beautiful webs as an arachnid. This myth certainly shows the consequences for humans who believe themselves as great as the gods. The message here is that Arachne had been blessed by the gods, but she did not see the gift; instead, she denied their charity and paid the price for it. Another example of a Greek myth teaching an important cultural value is “Phaethon.” In this myth, the title character, a boy, needs to know if his father is the sun god, Helius, so he travels to his heavenly palace to ask him. Helius is, indeed, his father, and as proof, he grants Phaethon any wish he desires. Phaethon chooses to drive his father’s sun chariot to usher in the new day, and, despite his father begging him to change his mind, he is determined to try to do the job only a god can do. The experience is a fiasco, and Zeus must intervene and kill Phaethon before there is nothing left of a scorched earth. Clearly this myth shows that humans have limitations. Like Arachne, Phaethon felt he could compete with the gods, but he could not, and he paid the ultimate price. The gods were divine, and humans were mortal, and there were severe consequences when mortals thought differently. In essence, the Ancient Greeks may not have had specific laws or written religions texts to live by, but they did have the stories their gods. 390 Words Another purpose of mythology was to explain the unexplainable events in man’s natural world. This is seen in the myth of “The Rule of Uranus.” In this story, first there is Chaos, who is described as, simply, a vast emptiness. From Chaos is born the Earth, the Underworld, and a god of love “whose presence enabled much of creation to occur.” The Earth goddess eventually gives birth to the starry sky, and together they populate the universe with gods and goddesses who will produce many other offspring that will become rivers and mountains and planets and the moon. It is clear that this myth is man’s response to not knowing how the universe began. It also is an attempt by human beings to explain phenomena such as planets, the sun, the moon, and various other objects that science has explained over the years. Similarly, the myth of “Prometheus” is an example of early stories trying to explain something that we humans now have a better grasp on, specifically, the origin of man. According to the myth, the Titan Prometheus “…created all the living creatures from a mixture of earth and water,” and “…from the image of the immortal gods, he fashioned man.” The myth further explains the reason for man’s advanced adaptability toward his environment. According to the story, Athena and Hephaestus equipped human beings with intelligence and fire, offsetting their weak and slow bodies. Like “The Rule of Chaos,” “Prometheus” explained ideas that fascinated human beings. Thousands of years ago, evolution was not the predominant theory of explaining how species came to be, but humans still required answers, and the myths provided them. In fact, the myths gave man the answers to many unexplainable events for which the causes were mysteries. Words: 292