Based on the document “Myths and Legends” by Henry H.
Peyton III, here are clear
definitions of the terms:
Myth
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (as cited in the article):
“A purely fictitious narrative usually involving supernatural persons,
actions, or events, and embodying some popular idea concerning
natural or historical phenomena.”
• Myths typically feature gods or divine beings.
• They aim to explain big, universal concepts — like creation, nature, or the structure of
the universe.
• Myths are not necessarily based in historical fact.
• They reflect religious or spiritual beliefs of a culture.
Legend
Also from the Oxford English Dictionary, a legend is:
“An unauthentic or nonhistorical story, especially one handed down by
tradition from early times and popularly regarded as historical.”
• Legends may be based on real events or people but are embellished over time.
• Often involve saints or heroes.
• They are more grounded than myths — closer to human experiences, but still contain
fictional or supernatural elements.
• Traditionally passed down through oral storytelling.
Key Differences (from the article)
• Myth deals more with gods and cosmic/religious truths.
• Legend deals more with humans or semi-divine heroes, often seen as historical but
unverified.
• Myths are more symbolic/metaphorical, while legends tend to be narrative-based and
linked to specific places or periods.
Would you like a table comparing the two, or examples from different cultures?
Here’s a summary of the PDF titled “Myths and Legends” by Henry H. Peyton III:
Purpose of the Essay
The essay aims to clearly define and differentiate the literary terms myth and legend, which
are often misunderstood, especially by young students influenced by popular media. It also
explores how these forms appear in literature, especially epic poetry.
Definitions
Using the Oxford English Dictionary:
• Myth: A fictional story involving supernatural elements, often explaining natural or
historical phenomena. Distinct from allegory or legend.
• Legend: A traditional story, often rooted in historical facts, handed down over time.
Typically involves saints or heroes and is popularly regarded as true, even if
unauthentic.
Comparison: Myth vs Legend
• Myth: Concerned with gods and high religious ideas.
• Legend: Often about saints or heroic humans.
• Both attempt to explain deep human concerns like the nature of the universe, good
and evil, and life’s mysteries.
• Myths and legends often blend together in literature, especially in epics.
Myths in Literature
• Myths are at one end of a spectrum (opposite naturalism, with romance in between).
• They deal with universal themes, like birth, death, rebirth, seasonal cycles, light vs
darkness.
• Often metaphorical (e.g., a thunder god represents a real thunderstorm).
The Iliad as an Example
• Homer’s Iliad is used to show how myth and legend combine in epic form.
• The central action revolves around Achilles’ struggle for personal honor after being
insulted by Agamemnon.
• Achilles is portrayed as a mythic hero: half-god, unmatched in strength and
intelligence, obsessed with glory.
Epic Characteristics
• Includes supernatural elements, heroic deeds, and moral ideals.
• Begins in medias res (in the middle of things), uses catalogues and invocation of
muses.
• The bard or epic poet is objective and not self-expressive.
The Hero Pattern
The essay references Lord Raglan’s 22-point model of the mythic hero’s life, which often
includes:
• Divine parentage
• Unusual birth
• Early danger and escape
• Great deeds and battles
• Eventual mysterious death
Achilles fits many of these traits, showing how myth and legend merge into the structure of
epic storytelling.
Conclusion
Myths and legends aren’t just about the past; they reflect mankind’s enduring attempts to
understand life, death, nature, and the universe. In epic literature, especially, they fuse to
form powerful narratives that explore human ideals through god-like heroes.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter version, a visual mind map, or bullet-point takeaways for
quick study.
