Some Theories of Myth
or ways to "explain" myths
based upon G. S. Kirk’s The Nature of Greek Myths (Penguin, 1974)
Ancient Theories of Myth
1.) Allegory
2.) Symbolism
3.) Rationalism
4.) Euhemerism
5.) Aetiology
FIVE Modern Monolithic* Theories of Myth
1.) Aetiology
proto-scientific view of myth
2.) Nature Myth (Max Müller)
emphasis on comparative mythology
3.) Ritual Myth (Sir James Frazer and the Cambridge School)
4.) Charter Myth (B. Malinowski)
rise of anthropology
5.) Creative Era (Mircea Eliade)
*monolithic theory of myth = a universal or exclusive theory of myth, one which claims to explain all myths
Two other modern (non-monolithic) theories of myth
Psychological approach
dreams (Sigmund Freud
collective unconscious (Carl Jung)
archetypes (Joseph Campbell)
Structuralism (Claude Lévi-Strauss)
emphasis on binary opposites
synchronic not diachronic
THE MULTIFUNCTIONALISM OF MYTH
Myths constitute an enormously complex and at the same time
indefinite category, and one must be free to apply to them any of a whole set of
possible forms of analysis and classification.
This material has been published on the web by Prof. Tom Sienkewicz for his students
at Monmouth College. If you have any questions, you can contact him at toms@monm.edu.