Mythology & Folklore Unit 6 Activity 1: Myths of the World

Step 1: Yearbook of the Gods
Using the table creation function of a word processing program or spreadsheet software, create a table with four columns. The middle two columns will each represent the major deities of a pantheon from two different, DISTINCT cultures (no comparing the Greek and Roman gods, for example, but most other pairings are fair game). You may choose any cultures you’d like, including the cultures discussed in the Unit Lessons. For each culture, choose ten major deities or similar characters (you may include prominent supernatural characters from myths or even legendary heroes). Where possible, pair up deities in the rows so that there is some unifying thread between the two (so, deities of agriculture or farming are in one row together; deities of romantic love are together in a row, heroes are lined up, etc.). The unifying domain or trait should be explained in the first column.

Step 2: Add a Picture
For each deity, include a picture representing them as they are described in their culture’s myths (this can include anything from classical art to modern comic or video game characters, as long as the depiction is true to known myths). Then, under the image, include a brief description of the deity, including their “portfolio” (what they are the god/goddess of, e.g.) and some personality traits, symbols, and interesting facts (e.g., Hera was jealous, vain, and vengeful, but also protective of married women and held cows, lions, and peacocks sacred. She was also associated with pomegranates).

Step 3: Add Cultural Similarities or Differences
In the fourth and final column, include a short paragraph comparing of the deities in the middle two columns, focusing on the cultural similarities or differences. You’ll need to research a bit about the character and perhaps even important myths they appear in. Some points in this section may be shallow—e.g., “both goddesses of love were portrayed as attractive young women”—but some comparisons may reveal important cultural differences, e.g. “the goddess of marriage was also associated with cattle, an important measurement of wealth in this culture that was often exchanged as part of the marriage rites.”
Submit your file of an illustrated table comparing and contrasting major mythological characters from different cultures.