As the Greek poet, Homer, wrote, “All men have need for gods.” This quote fits with a few of the common elements in myths. These elements are; good vs. evil, great sacrifices and the idea of a supreme being. These fit into many of the creation myths from around the world which is odd because all of these myths come from completely different places. Good vs. evil fits
in perfectly with a Norse creation myth with 2 opposite worlds waging war against each other. This myth comes from Scandinavia and the Vikings (the exact author is unknown) and there are many
other creation myths with this same element further south such as a Babylonian myth which also has a war between 2 worlds. Phan Ku, a Chinese creation myth, deals with great sacrifices and a supreme being. It is about a giant scary supreme being who starts to create the world, and then sacrifices himself to finish it. This next myth also uses a supreme being, and it comes from Canada. That’s nowhere near China! It is an Inuit myth and has a kindly raven to create the world and man. In a way it is very much like Phan Ku but without the Supreme Being appearing giant and scary. This proves that the idea of a Supreme Being is truly a common element in creation myths. How did these common elements appear in so many different places? “All men have need for gods”. Well, why? I think Homer was right. It is human nature to be curious and ask questions so if man did not believe in anything, they would have no answers and in those days they did not have the science to explain their world. In a way, we still use myths to explain our world with religion because we are only just working out how everything came to be. I wonder if we will ever find the answers we need to live without myths or religion.
in perfectly with a Norse creation myth with 2 opposite worlds waging war against each other. This myth comes from Scandinavia and the Vikings (the exact author is unknown) and there are many
other creation myths with this same element further south such as a Babylonian myth which also has a war between 2 worlds. Phan Ku, a Chinese creation myth, deals with great sacrifices and a supreme being. It is about a giant scary supreme being who starts to create the world, and then sacrifices himself to finish it. This next myth also uses a supreme being, and it comes from Canada. That’s nowhere near China! It is an Inuit myth and has a kindly raven to create the world and man. In a way it is very much like Phan Ku but without the Supreme Being appearing giant and scary. This proves that the idea of a Supreme Being is truly a common element in creation myths. How did these common elements appear in so many different places? “All men have need for gods”. Well, why? I think Homer was right. It is human nature to be curious and ask questions so if man did not believe in anything, they would have no answers and in those days they did not have the science to explain their world. In a way, we still use myths to explain our world with religion because we are only just working out how everything came to be. I wonder if we will ever find the answers we need to live without myths or religion.
1 comment:
Very organized piece of writing here. You went back in and edited and revised. Justified your opinions well.
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