The Function of Myth
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This 7 page paper discusses the role of myth within a good story: Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Aurel. The importance of archetypal image is discussed, as well as the perception that writing is the key to human consciousness as shown in Walter Ong's Orality and Literacy: The Technologicalizing of the Word. Bibliographylists 4 sources.
Filename: BBmyth.doc
Paper Title: The Function of Myth

Native Indian Mythology
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11 pages in length. A comprehensive overview of themes in Native Indian mythology. Examined are various mythological objects, the value of dreams, and more. It is emphasized that different tribes each had their own brand of myth -- Analyzed in specific detail are the myths of the Aztecs who, in their stories, formulated an entire structure for their universe. Their myths and the key characters featured in them are explicated. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: Natindmy.wps
Paper Title: Native Indian Mythology

Mystery Cults and the Pre-Christian Notion of God
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8 pages in length. An insightful look at Mystery Cults-- groups that pre-date Christianity and yet who believed in the 'mysteriousness' of God -- found later on in sections of The Bible (it is noted that God speaks extensively early on in Genesis and then less and less as 'mysteriousness' becomes important). The history & origin (dating back to Ancient Greece) of Mystery Cults is examined as are various myths and the relevance of Judaism and even Oriental mysteries. It is essentially concluded that many primary tenets of the Christian religion actually pre-date Christianity. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: Mystcult.wps
Paper Title: Mystery Cults and the Pre-Christian Notion of God

“Comparison between Heracles and Gilgamesh”
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A five page paper which looks at the Sumerian hero Gilgamesh and the Greek hero Heracles, in terms of the way in which their narratives fulfil similar cultural roles within their respective societies and the similarities and differences between the tasks which they undergo in their quests for enlightenment.
Filename: JLheracles.wps
Paper Title: “Comparison between Heracles and Gilgamesh”

“Fate and Deity in ‘Oedipus the King’ and ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh’”
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A six page paper which looks at the concept of fate in Sophocles’ ‘Oedipus the King’ and the Sumerian ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’, in terms of how far free will can be said to be exercised in a universe which is controlled by an omnipotent deity or pantheon of deities, and the way in which apparent freedom of choice can be seen to conform to the pattern which is pre-ordained by destiny as set down by the gods. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: JLfate.wps
Paper Title: “Fate and Deity in ‘Oedipus the King’ and ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh’”

“Irish Folklore”
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A six page paper which looks at the traditions of Irish folklore, such as the children of Danu, the Sidhe and the sacred thorn, and considers the way in which cultural values and old customs and beliefs have persisted into the present day. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: JLirishlore.wps
Paper Title: “Irish Folklore”

“The Otherworld in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey”
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A five page paper which looks at the journeys of Gilgamesh and Odysseus to the realms of the dead in their respective hero-quests and looks at the similarities between the two depictions of the Otherworld and the motivation behind the heroes’ visits there.
Filename: JLOtherworld.rtf
Paper Title: “The Otherworld in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey”

"The Romance of Arthur"
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A 10 page paper which discusses the strengths and weaknesses of several essays which are to be found in "The Romance of Arthur: An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation" by James J. Wilhelm. The essays discussed are "Arthur in the Latin Chronicles" by James J. Wilhelm, "Arthur in the Early Welsh Tradition" by John K. Bollard, "Culhwch and Olwen" by Richard M. Loomis, and "Arthur in Geoffrey of Monmouth" by Richard M. Loomis. These papers stand to have far more strengths than weaknesses in that they truly present the reader with an in-depth knowledge of who Arthur may well have been, and where much of his myth originated. No additional sources cited.
Filename: RAarthur.wps
Paper Title: "The Romance of Arthur"

"What Dreams May Come": Mythical Component
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6 pages in length. The writer discusses the mythical element of the movie "What Dreams May Come," as well as associates such with Freud and ancient mythology. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: TLCdreem.wps
Paper Title: "What Dreams May Come": Mythical Component

A Comparison Between the Flood in Genesis and the Flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh
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A five page paper which looks at the similarities between the legend of the Flood as described in the Christian Bible, and the Flood of Ut-napishtim in Mesopotamian myth, with reference to research which asserts that both legends may have arisen from a local event in the valley of the Euphrates. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: JLfloods.wps
Paper Title: A Comparison Between the Flood in Genesis and the Flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh