Mythological & archetypal criticism

Analysis using Mythological and Archetypal Method

The Difference between mythological and archetypal criticism:

Mythological Criticism:
Has references to famous mythological stories in worksof literature
These references are included in the hopes of getting a universal reactions from all readers
It is similar to a psychological approach because it also is concerned with the things thatunderlie human behavior
Myths are symbolic of people’s hopes fears, values, and other philosophical ideas.

Archetypal Criticism:
· First of all, archetypes are similar ideas, motifs, andimages found in many different myths
· Normally defined as “universal symbols"
· Examples of archetypes are images (such as water, sun, certain colors or numbers, circles, theserpent, garden, tree, desert) “the hero,” "the earth mother", "the soul mate," "the trickster," motifs or pattern, and genres

Using Mythological and Archetypal Criticism:
Unlike the more traditionalform of criticism that focuses on the history of the author and the piece itself, mythological and archetypal focuses on the history of the gods, goddesses, and other allusions mentions in the piecethat involve mythology. Reason for this approach:
Only recently was the proper means to use this type of criticism through the studies of anthropology, psychology, and cultural history
Many areskeptical of this approach, since it appears to lean towards the occult
There is also much confusion over the definitions of the objects in the actual myths, and the fact that people are more interested inconcrete ideas

Three Different Facets of Mythological and Archetypal Criticism:
Anthropology: Anthropological studies began to advance at the end of the 19th century, and has been one of thebiggest influences on mythological criticism. They study of anthropology have a new understanding to the Greek myths, which are the most well known and often used allusions.
Jungian Psychology: C.G....