Myth-Folklore

A long time ago there lived a Sultan, who loved his wife the Sultana more than anything in the world. Every day he gave her beautiful gifts and treasures to show his love for her. However, this love was a lie. For the sultan had learned that his wife did not love him but only used him for his power and wealth. Upon learning this awful truth, the sultan sentenced her to death. But with her death, also went the Sultan’s ability to love. For after this treachery he believed all women to be just as wicked as the Sultana. And although he forgoes love, the Sultan does not want to be lonely at night. For the many years that followed the Sultan would marry a new woman, consummate the marriage and then kill her afterwards. Marriage to the Sultan became synonymous to death to all in the land. One day, the grand-vizier’s eldest daughter Scheherazade told her father that she wanted to put a stop to all the suffering in the land. So that no one need mourn the loss of their daughter or sister ever a...

Aladdin was not an orphan, the genie came from a ring given to him by the magician, not the lamp. However, he was sent into the mysterious cave to take a lamp by the magician who claimed to be his uncle. My favorite part of this story is how instead of just wishing for riches, Aladdin instead wished for meals for his family on silver, and then sold the silver for the riches. Aladdin taking the lamp Photo from Tampa Bay Times Online Source Bibliography: Story source: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898).

The Sultan killed all of his wives shortly after their marriage. Scheherazade stayed off her death by telling stories without endings for A thousand and one nights. Bibliography:  The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898). Scheherazade Telling the Sultan Stories Online Source

Long ago, the earth was created by a supreme being named Nu. Not long after its creation he had a son with many names, most common of which was Ra. Ra was a great and powerful God who went on to create more life on earth and even made children of his own. Ra’s power was great, he was the God of gods and no one could come close to his majesty due to the power he possessed. However, the power was in his true name which he kept in his heart so that none could learn it and therefore could not gain power such as his own. On earth, there was an enchantress named Isis. She was beautiful and powerful, however as she was a human she did not have power close to Ra’s. This was something about herself, that she wanted to change. She wished to be as powerful as the most powerful God and there was only one way to do it. Learn his name. Ra had grown old over the years and Isis felt that she could deceive him into giving her and her alone his true name so that she may obtain power equal to his own. T...

This reminds me greatly of the Story of Joseph, the prophet of ancient Egypt who wore a rainbow coat, was betrayed by his masters wife after becoming trusted. Joseph is tempted by masters wife. Photo source  

Ra is tricked into giving up his true name and his source of power to Isis, by Isis. She used a snake she created with Ra's saliva and of the earth. she then enchanted it to make it invisible to all humans and gods. Ra Deceived by Isis Photo by: Agnes Mizere - WordPress.com Bibliography: Egypt: The Secret Name of Ra Story source: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907)

As always, it is interesting to wonder how the animals got to Noah from all over the world, sure they knew to go to him because of God, but depending on how the Earth was back then, the actual travel could have been "impossible" back then. It is clear that the animals began their travel long before Noah finished the arc, due to how far they must have traveled. Noah's Ark Photo Source Bibliography: Noah: The Ark (Genesis),  The King James Bible (1611), Genesis 5-6 Online Source

Here is the Link to   My Story . I really hope you guys enjoy and I appreciate all the feedback!

I awoke to a voice from above “Hello my child”. Looking around at everything around me, I could not believe my eyes. I couldn’t believe my EYES!? My eyes? Not only did I have no memory of ever laying eyes on my surroundings, I had no memory of anything in life. “It was as if I had just been….poofed into existence” I thought to myself. “That is because today is the day I hath created you Eve. After creating a world full of plants and animals, I had decided to create beings in my own image. You Eve, are this world’s first woman” spoke the voice hearing the thoughts from Eve. “What? Who… who’s there?” Eve asked the voice. “I am God” another being said behind Eve. Eve turned to look at the source of the sound and when she turned around she saw a marvelous sight. A being of pure light that brought warmth into every part of Eve’s being. Although this seemed to be her first day of existence, Eve knew that she would never again look upon an existence as beautiful as the one that currently lay...

It was unknown to me that there existed a myth that Adam and Eve ever died. While I know that they were banished from the Garden of Eden and God punished man and woman for all eternity for eating the Forbidden Apple, but I never knew that they died and were later resurrected. Adam and Eve Photo from: wall.alphacoders.com Bibliography:  Story Source: The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg. Online Source

I have heard verbal rumors that God had created a woman for Adam before Eve but I have never before seen it in writing. I hope to make a good story this week using this story. Lilith Photo from: biblicalarchaeology.org Bibliography: Adam and Eve: Lilith. Story Source: The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg. Online Source: Reading  

I looked at the following links to learn how to give good constructive criticism for the projects. After reading them I saw that how I thought good criticism was given was accurate because I always try to help the person I am helping understand how to do something better and often just say something is missing and give hints as to what so that they can come up with their own ideas on how to improve. Feedback Photo: quickmeme.com How to Craft Constructive Feedback Be a Mirror

The stories I am most likely going to draw from in order to create my own story are Izanagi & Izanami,  Fox Fire, and  King Arthur. However, I believe I'll do my own mash up spin using only two of them, Fox Fire and King Arthur. The mashup was suggested by the professor and it seemed like it would make an amazing story the more I thought about it, I may even turn the Elixer from Fox Fire into The Philosopher Stone, since both are meant to give longevity but I am undecided on that. I'm going to look at Wikipedia for a lot of my research as well as any stories I can find online about the two stories in order to create my own. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Photo from: forums.smitegame.com

Once, there was a Cyclops named Polyphemus who lived on an island with all his kin. The cyclops people were peaceful and humble farmers and ranchers. Their way of life was dependent on trade and everyone doing their own tasks and then exchanging the goods. One day a group of humans came to his shores. The cyclops, though towering over the humans in stature, were fearful for the humans brought with them weapons of war. Hiding in the woods, Polyphemus’ two sons saw the men come ashore with plans to raid the villages of any who lived there. Upon learning this, they quietly returned to their father. “Father! Father!” the older one cried out, “there are men on our shores and they bring many weapons” the younger added on. “Men have come to our shore before, they often wish to trade, no fear my sons perhaps they too are peaceful” Polyphemus said to calm his sons. But the oldest son was unsure, and did not trust the men who brought such dangerous weapons to his homeland. “Father, these men ...

Odysseus was able to withstand the Siren's call due to his men having tied him up so that he could not give into their call. Odysseus tied to mast withstanding Sirens Photo from: bohemianweasel.com Bibliography: Homer's Odyssey Translated by Tony Kline; Link to Online reading

I really enjoyed Odysseus outsmarting the cyclops. Seeing how the Cyclops did not fear the wrath of Zeus or any other gods was intriguing as most creatures feared the Olympian Gods. Another enjoyment was how Odysseus hid his name from the cyclops. Bibliography: Homer's Odyssey Translated by Tony Kline; Link to the reading online Odysseus and Polyphemus By: Arnold Bocklin  From: Wikipedia

I believe feedback to be very important. Nothing is ever done so perfectly that no improvements can be made, especially when doing something new. In order to continue improving feed back and the ability to accept constructive criticism is very important. Another thing that is important to improve is not only feedback, but two other things as well. Willingness to accept your mistakes and the criticism that comes with those mistakes, and also making sure that the feed back your getting is coming from reliable sources. Feedback Photo: Bizztor.com 8 Things to do when you make a mistake: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/mar/21/eight-things-to-do-when-you-make-a-mistake 5 tips of receiving feedback: https://www.forbes.com/sites/meganbruneau/2016/07/15/5-tips-for-receiving-feedback-like-a-champ/#3ae3070c1899

Izanagi & Izanami come from Japanese mythology. The Japanese culture and pantheon are very interesting to me and I have always wanted to learn more about the history behind the myths and legends of Japan. Learning about the origins of Amaterasu and Susanoo and the "history" of their parents would be an amazing read. Putting their story into my own words will be quite the experience. Fox Fire. When it comes to mythical creatures I'm sure many people say their favorites are some of the obvious ones. Dragons, mermaids, unicorns, griffins etc. however the mythical creature that is my favorite is the Kitsune, preferably the nine  tailed fox. What I know of them so far is a Kitsune is a fox spirit, and every hundred years the fox spirit develops another tail, along with wisdom and more magical power. upon reaching 9 tails and living for a thousand years, there is a myth that the kitusne will be faced with a choice. Become a human, or become a god. I chose this story ...