Myth, Narrative, and the Experience of War

Introduction

War has shaped civilizations and left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of societies throughout history. In an effort to make sense of the profound and often traumatic experiences of war, societies have often turned to myths and narratives as powerful tools of understanding. Stories, passed down through generations, provide a lens to explore the complex relationship between war, humanity, and the broader human experience.

In this module, Myth, Narrative, and the Experience of War, we will explore the deep-rooted connections between myth and war, examining themes such as heroism, sacrifice, duty, and the moral complexities inherent to armed conflicts. We will analyze the ways in which these ancient narratives continue to resonate with contemporary society, shedding light on the history of war and its enduring effects.

What is Myth?

In order to better understand the first four readings in this module—all of which are part of different mythologies—it is worth spending a little time acquainting ourselves with what scholars mean when the speak of myths. To do this, we will follow the lead of Karen Armstrong, who wrote the book A Short History of Myth in 2005. We will read only the first chapter, “What is Myth?” which is a brief summary of the many roles that myth and mythology plays in human societies. The entire book is available here, but you need to read only the first chapter.

https://archive.org/details/KarenArmstrongAShortHistoryOfMyth/page/n3/mode/2up