Introduction
The word ‘myth’ is often used to denote something that is false. Most people, for instance, are often caught saying ‘that’s a myth’ when referring to stories that are misleading or untrue. However, such common usage of the word ‘myth’ in the modern context is inconsistent with how the word ‘myth’ was originally used during the ancient times. Just like how Jews, Christians and Muslims believe that the narratives pertaining to their religious beliefs are true, myths are also seen by ancient people as divinely inspired and are, therefore, true. The story of the Greek gods, for instance, is seen by Hesiod as “divinely inspired poetic utterances”. Similarly, the poet Homer, in narrating his Iliad and Odyssey, did not have a slightest impression that what he was telling something that is illusionary or fictitious. Rather, he wrote his pieces as if they are meant to instruct and convey the truth. As to how the word ‘myth’ evolved into its modern meaning is influenced by several factors that changed the meaning of the word over time.
The Origins of the word, ‘Myth’
The word ‘myth’ came from the Greek word ‘mythos,’ which originally means, ‘word,’ ‘tale’ or ‘true narrative’. Myths are not necessarily false or misleading. As observed by scholars, a myth was once revered as “a great story of deep meaning and eternal significance, a story whose truths transcended time and space and earthbound existence” (Poulus, 2009, p.144). However, in contrast to the word ‘logos,’ which is also equivalent to mythos in terms of definition, myths became more associated with poetic and religious insights as opposed to the objective and logical references of the word logos. As observed, the truth discovered through logos “seeks to be objective and universal” while the truth discovered through mythos is “more subjective, based on individual feelings and experiences”. The distinction between mythos and logos became more pronounced with the advancement and eventual dominance of science and philosophy. Philosophers and scientists began to question the truth and validity of the myths, which would eventually change the meaning of the word. The term myth became more associated with subjective storytelling with questionable truths such as such as legends, sagas and folktales while logos became more associated with philosophical and scientific truths derived through reason and empirical evidence. Great thinkers such as Plato, for instance, contributed to the usurpation of the meaning of myth by associating it with narratives of other people that he believe to be lies. Eventually, the meaning of myth changed from being a “a great story of deep meaning and eternal significance” to “a fantastical story with little connection to truth, a lie” (Poulus, 2009, p.144).
Significance of Myths
Before philosophical and scientific thinking became the dominant manner of exploring and understanding the world, people rely on myths to explain their existence and of the observable phenomenon around them. Myths are special because they transcend from the traditional narratives such as fables, legends, sagas or folktales. Although a myth may include characteristics of these traditional narratives, its uniqueness can be identified because of its purpose and cultural significance. A myth is not just a story; it is an attempt “to make sense of the world” (Ronning, 2009, p.144). The existence of myths in different cultures around the world, in a way, proves that humans are rational beings. Myths from cultures around the world give insights on origins and consciousness that can be considered as one of the earliest attempts of human beings to make sense of the world around him. As observed by scholars, myths describes moments that involves “moving out of chaos into sense, out of darkness into light” (Poulus, 2009, p.144). Myths are not necessarily untrue. Some narratives, for instance, are considered as myths not because they are false or lies, but because their truths could not be verified. The existence of supernatural beings, for example, are considered by many as a myth because their existence are questionable and could not be proven by science or philosophy. There are also narratives that were once considered as myths, but are now considered as factual account of what happened in the past. The battle of Troy, for example, was once considered as a myth. However, the recent discovery of the actual site of the City of Troy in 1868 by the archeologist, Heinrich Schliemann, proved that some things that are commonly considered as myths are actually based on reality.
Conclusion
In the modern context, the word ‘myth’ is commonly considered as a made-up story; something that is false or untrue. This meaning, however, has evolved from the meaning of myth as understood originally by ancient people. In an academic context, myths are not necessarily false. Rather, it is understood as stories or narratives that aim to explain the origin of things or to make sense of the world around us. Myths are also universal and exist in almost all cultures around the world. Myths are commonly used to explain religious themes such as the origins of gods and goddesses while some myths have historical and geographical themes such as those narratives that tell about legendary people and places. Although the common perception in the contemporary setting is that myths are just lies, the significance of myths can be based on the fact that it helps explain the unexplainable. There are things, for instance, that could not be explained by logic and science, but are given meaning and significance by narratives that are considered as myths.
References
Black, J. (2012). The meaning of the word Myth. Retrieved April 2016, from http://www.ancient-origins.net/: http://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins/meaning-word-myth-0061
Hovt, R. (2009). Mythos & Logos: Two Ways of Explaining the World. Retrieved April 2016, from http://journeytothesea.com/: http://journeytothesea.com/mythos-logos/
Poulus, C. (2009). Accidental Ethnography: An Inquiry into Family Secrecy. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press, Inc.
Ronning, A. (2009). Some Reflections on Myth, History and Memory As Determinants of Narrative . Retrieved April 2016, from http://www.ub.edu/dpfilsa/coola3holden.pdf
Stifler, B. (n.d.). How "Myth" Came to Mean "Falsehood". Retrieved April 2016, from http://www.billstifler.org/: http://www.billstifler.org/HUM2130/files/1D-001-myth_as_false.htm
