- The 5 similarities between myth and legend
- 1- They are of popular origin
- 2- They are transmitted from generation to generation
- 3- They involve real and fantastic elements
- 4- They are related to beliefs or cultural facts
- References
Among the main similarities between myth and legend, it stands out that both are of popular origin, are transmitted from generation to generation, are linked to facts or beliefs of the people and involve real and imaginary elements in their narrative.
A myth is a story that is transmitted orally about events carried out by gods, supernatural beings or monsters, and is used by the people to explain natural phenomena or incredible human events.
For its part, the legend is a popular narrative transmitted orally about a real event or with overtones of truth, which has occurred in a region or town and which involves heroes or heroines.
In general, the legend is adorned with fantasy or unreal elements that reduce its credibility.
The 5 similarities between myth and legend
1- They are of popular origin
Both stories arise as an expression of the people to explain natural phenomena without an apparent scientific explanation, or mysteries that they could not understand.
They are also used to convey heroic and virtuous religious messages about ancestors.
In this way, people could try to understand and transmit knowledge about aspects of daily life, such as the seasons of the year, rain, floods, droughts, earthquakes, death, love or beauty.
2- They are transmitted from generation to generation
Both myth and legend have been passed down from generation to generation, and each generation recreates them and adds elements.
Its transmission served as a source of entertainment for families or groups in the absence or little expansion of other means for recreation.
3- They involve real and fantastic elements
Human beings tend to imagine supreme beings or superior forces, given their need to explain the mysteries of the world that are beyond their ability to understand. These supreme beings serve as the foundation for both types of story.
But not everything is fantastic, because in both narratives there are real situations in which these beings participate to solve a problem or cause a real natural phenomenon.
Fantastic characters such as gods, witches, devils, monsters or goblins with supernatural powers participate.
These are presented as real or that they are part of the region where the story arose.
4- They are related to beliefs or cultural facts
Myths and legends are closely linked to the culture or belief system of a people, which can be religious or superstitious in nature.
Sociologically they are explained as the expression of the psychological-symbolic representation of a people. Through myth and legend the collective values of a particular community are reaffirmed.
References
- Krapf, Norbert: Beneath the cherry sapling: legends from Franconia. New York, Fordham University Press, 1988
- Myths and legends. Consulted of megaessays.com
- What are myths, legends and folktales? Consulted from myths.e2bn.org
- How did the myths arise? Consulted of coral30983.blogspot.com
- 5 differences and 5 similarities between myth and legend. Consulted of brainly.lat
- Origin and development of myth and legend. Consulted of monografias.com