Mission & Academics Blog
A Rich Tapestry: The Enduring Value of Mythology
…myths, they've lasted for a reason. We tell them over and over because we keep finding truths in them, and we keep finding life in them. - Patrick Ness
Recently our Level 4 students participated in the Pegasus National Mythology Test. We had several students perform very well and one student, Ameen Pasha, earned a perfect score. Our Latin students in both Middle and Upper School also soak up the stories - both Latin and Greek - and perform well in certamen competitions. We are very proud of these students but we are equally proud that mythology has always been an important part of our curriculum. Happily, our students enjoy learning about the various gods and heroes in these rich stories.
Audiences have treasured mythology for thousands of years, an engaging tapestry of tales received through the ages going back to the oral tradition. Some people dismiss this body of literature as dusty, old, and unimportant, but the study of mythology remains a vital part of a strong classical education. Teachers can impart lessons about history, literature, art, and the human condition all through the study of mythology.
Greek and Roman mythology provides an invaluable window into the beliefs, values, and worldviews of both Greek and Roman civilizations. These stories offer insights into how the ancients strove to understand the natural world around them, the origins of human life, and the role of the divine. By studying these myths, students can gain a deeper respect for the accomplishments of these civilizations - the very foundations of Western civilization. A solid understanding of mythology provides a huge benefit for interpreting the art, architecture, philosophy, and literature that we inherited from these periods.
We cannot forget that many of the most beloved works of literature, poetry, and drama in the Western canon draw heavily from Greek mythology. Familiarity with these myths helps students unlock the many allusions they will encounter in modern literature. From Homer's Iliad and Odyssey to the plays of Sophocles and Euripides, this body of ancient stories has been an inspiration to many, many writers, poets, and artists through the ages. Studying these myths gives budding writers the power of archetypes and symbolism in their creative writing. The value of having a comfortable knowledge of mythology is a clear advantage we are thrilled to offer our students. And we cannot overlook the lessons of character. Mythology deals with love, heartache, pride, heroic virtue, and all the complexities of the human condition. Ideally, this aspect of our curriculum plays an important role in developing empathy, critical thinking, and moral discernment -- all skills our students need to flourish in our world today.
I believe that legends and myth are largely made of ‘truth.’ - J. R. Tolkien
