Crash Course Mythology - Week 15 Extra Credit

Creation and Destruction

Ragnarok
Thor

Humans and Nature and Creation

This video explored the original creation story in the Bible as well as the Biblical story of the creation of animals in which man has control over creatures and naming capacity for them. The stories tell of a strict hierarchy in which man is dominant and at the top. In contrast, Native American myths look at the role of animal as collaborative and in some stories, animals were required in order for the creation of the world to happen. These two types of myths are The Emergency Myth and The Earth Diver Myth. Animals within these types of myths are thoughtful, plan, and have emotions unlike the Creation Myths in the Bible where the animals are dumb and just waiting to be named.

The Apocalypse

The video discusses the Apocalypse which simply refers to the end of the world. Most of these stories come from religious texts and all fit the definition of myth, which is a significant story that has been important to many people for a very long time. Many cultures have stories involving the end of the world. These stories are not about individual death but supernatural powers that intervene to put an end to humans. Most apocalyptic stories have two components: General Destruction and Judgement & Punishment. The video explores both stories from the Western World but also Islamic myths.

Ragnarok

Wow! This video plays like season 8 of the Game of Thrones. Ragnarok is the basically the Norse Apocalypse story. It is a prediction story in that it is script for something that is yet to come. The myth if the Thought Bubble is long, confusing, complex, and has many, many characters. In the end, or end before the new beginning, the earth sinks into the sea. However, there is a silver lining - water remains. From the water, earth will rise again. Some gods survived the battle and live to create a new Pantheon. Unlike the Biblical story where only the righteous live, in this story, the rebirth is for everyone.