Anthropological Theoretical Approaches and Myths

Introduction

The anthropological theoretical perspective is one of the frameworks which different myths justify. The approach creates a critical qualitative comprehension of why and how diverse human behaviors, cultures, and expressions occurred and even continue to transpire in the present society. The Persian, Greek, Roman, European, African, and American mythologies all exemplify the anthropological theory. Arguably, the perspective and the multiple myths are interdependent, hence making the audience create a clear understanding of the applicability and ‘resurrection’ of the tales in the contemporary world. Therefore, the anthropological theoretical concept receives tremendous support from the various myths as mentioned above, and in contrast, creates a foundational interpretation of the different myths and their exemplification across space and time.

Main text

Persian mythology develops the anthropological approach considering that it gives a critical glimpse into man’s origin and, generally, how the world was made by its Creator. According to Brown and Foot (2016), the oral presentation was significant in ancient Persia, giving narrations on various occurrences, how they started, the reason behind the circumstance, and the solutions. The story of the creation of Gayomartan, the first man by Ahura Mazda, and how Angra Mainyu, the devil, was subsequently allowed to tempt him, critically explains the actual reason behind why people die. Understandably, individuals succumb because the devil obtained the opportunity to lure man, making them fall into the sinning trap. There has been a question about how human beings came into existence, and the anthropological approach seems to answer this question, assuring the audience that what happens in this world has its origin and purpose. Arguably, human beings could not have been into existence presently if it were not for Ahura Mazda’s wise decision to create Gayomartan to enhance procreation. Connectedly, the anthropological perspective leads to the current interpretation of the Persian myth because humans understand their history and the cause of death.

Greek mythology supports the anthropological perspective as they explain the Gods’ origin and the powers ordained to each God and Goddess. The mythologies reflect the rituals conducted in the Ancient Greece, hence providing a glimpse of the exact ceremonies which are conducted presently and their exact backgrounds. Evangelopoulou and Xinogalos (2018) opine that the ancient Greek myths shed light and give direction to current political and religious institutions. The organization and different representations of the Greek heroes, Gods, and Goddesses give rise to the present-day decoration of various ornaments and items, including houses and other effects in the contemporary world. In contrast, the anthropological theory qualifies Greek mythology, which outlines the origin of presents and gifts. People in the Ancient Greece were giving presents and engaging in different rituals to entice their Gods and Goddesses for everything they encountered, including good harvests. The past practice of giving gifts and sacrifices has embraced critical transformation and is presently embraced as a festival during Christmas. Thus, Greek mythology justifies the anthropological analogy, explaining the beliefs and behaviors people have in society.

Roman mythology presents a justification to the anthropological approach, explaining Gods and Goddesses’ origin and their representation. Zupančič (2017) alludes that colors had critical meanings in ancient Greek, whereby Gods and Goddesses had different decorations, representing diverse meanings. Whether conscious or not, people are tattooing pictures and symbols of different people and items which consequently have distinct meanings. Roman mythology is comprehensively involved in life today, considering the rising number of people who tattoo their bodies. In other words, Roman mythology has embraced resurrection, whereby people might knowingly or unknowingly be tattooing different approaches images on their bodies which have a close affiliation with the ancient symbolic myths. Historically, decorating human bodies commenced during the Romanian empire, when Gods and Goddesses were smeared with different colors that resemble their duties and responsibilities. In addition, the anthropological perspective creates the interpretation of Roman mythology, considering that it illustrates the viewpoint on the origin of decoration and the use of multiple colors to enhance the physical appearance. Holistically, it is evident that the Roman mythology progresses anthropological subject regarding different colors and their respective meanings.

Additionally, the Eastern and Northern European mythology justifies the anthropological approaches. It explains magical powers’ origin, whereby individuals can transform into different organisms with respect to their actual intentions. Dobre (2018) alludes that the Eastern Europeans myths depict the diverse strategies that individuals used when countering the ordeals of ghosts and other related magical occurrences in society. Realistically, the tales elucidate the origin of spirits and the actions which living individuals took to prevent the dead from reoccurring and causing unnecessary havoc in the community. Interpretatively, the far Eastern and Northern mythologies are evident in the present society because the current movies exemplify diverse incidences where vampires are causing deterioration in society and death among individuals. Vampires critically represent the ancestral beliefs of the European natives, whose culture was embracing ghosts, and the various evils associated with these supernatural spirits. The anthropological approach develops a clear understanding of the origin of ghosts in Northern and Eastern Europe. People related them to bad omens, engaging in various practices and rituals to avoid future reoccurrence.

Furthermore, African mythology defends the anthropological theory, whereby it fosters the authenticity of different human behaviors and societal episodes. Most of the Sub-Saharan myths and those from other parts of the continent championed the occurrences of separate incidences in society (Finnegan, 2018). For instance, understanding the socioeconomic differences among people in a family or community draws one to the point of analyzing the people before they were even born. Interestingly, the Africans comprehend that being either rich or poor is a prove of the choices that one made while in the womb. Significantly, there is communication in the stomach between infants and God, hence enabling them to make the most appropriate life decisions. The African myths relate to society’s current situation, whereby it is the poor in the community who mostly attend church services and pray. Seemingly, the individuals pray so that God can avert the decisions which they made while in their mothers’ wombs and subsequently counted among the affluent people in society. Therefore, the African myths foster the anthropological approach considering that they explain the socioeconomic phenomenon in society.

American myths advance the anthropological approach because it develops in the audience’s minds that individual greatness commences with individuals possessing different critical behaviors and respect for others. Most American myths surround real-life situations and occurrences which took place when individuals were young, and nobody in the current generation was born (Baym, 2018). The mythologies develop a critical comprehension that good leadership’s background and origin starts when people are young and in situations whereby, they are either expected to tell the truth and face repercussions or lie. As a result, a good personality will stick to the truth without minding the associated consequences. The American myths educate the reader and the current generation that it is prudent for individuals never to lie regardless of the surrounding circumstances. As mentioned above, the anthropological theory enhances the interpretation of this mythology, whereby it evaluates the origin and exact behaviors which individuals who can be great leaders in the future should possess. Therefore, the American fairytale imparts the sense in individuals’ minds that they should be truthful and honest, traits of excellent leaders.

Conclusion

Conclusively, it is paramount to note that different theoretical approaches receive defense from myths, and the same theoretical perspectives lead to the interpretation of the tales. Critically, the Persian, Greek, Roman, European, African, and American mythologies all exemplify the anthropological concept. Moreover, myths critically shape people’s aspirations apart from giving them meaning in this world. The data obtained can guide individuals about how they can use the information they get and the importance of superior morality and acceptable behaviors in society. Above all, there is a need for people in the community to take different myths seriously.

References

Baym, N. (2018). Novels, readers, and reviewers: Responses to fiction in antebellum America. Cornell University Press.

Brown, J. M., & Foot, R. (Eds.). (2016). Migration: The Asian experience. Springer.

Dobre, C. F. (Ed.). (2018). Quest for a suitable past: Myths and memory in Central and Eastern Europe. Central European University Press.

Evangelopoulou, O., & Xinogalos, S. (2018). Myth troubles: An open-source educational game in scratch for Greek Mythology. Simulation & Gaming, 49(1), 71-91. Web.

Finnegan, R. (2018). Limba stories and story-telling. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Zupančič, M. (2017). Literature, mythology, Orphism:” Language as God” in the French Nouveau Roman. Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics, 40(2), 53-66.