Importance of Legends The preceding description of legends is sufficient to illustrate the social function of legends.

They help the man to understand the events of nature and to elucidate them, besides helping him in his adjustment with Nature. They represent the ideals and values of society. In this way, they also provide the opportunity of acquainting oneself with the culture of the society that existed. The profundity of their influence is amply reflected in the fact that because of them it is possible to predict the behaviour of the individuals of a particular society. To them are attached the emotions, feelings and assumptions of the individuals of a particular society. Customs and traditions evolved on the basis of legends. Correctly gauging their importance, Kimball Young has written, "We must remind ourselves that man does not live alone in a colorless universe of passive objectivity but in a subjective, emotionally toned world of attitudes and images, and that myth, ideology, and legend determine his conduct more than does the purely physical universe." Myth vs Legend Every single world culture from Europe, to India, and from Australia to Africa have a body of traditional literature. Usually this literature was passed through the generations orally until the society developed language or an outsider came who wrote the stories down. There is still some debate as to the primary purposes of these stories, but since they are still captivating to modern man, considerable study has been done on traditional cultural stories, often known as myths and legends. Much care has also been taken to documents the differences between the two types of stories. Definition Myth is a traditional and often sacred narrative that explains important events in the birth and growth of a culture by relating supernatural acts that took place before our current time Legend is also a traditional story, but is very rarely considered sacred. It details the actions of men and women who were larger than life but still grounded in an actual historic timeline. Perceived Uses Myth was commonly thought to be told in conjunction with a religious festival. The myth would describe the actions of the gods or supernatural forces and it was believed that the retelling would allow those forces to come into play in the present day. Myths could also be used as morality tales for the instruction of the younger generation in the norms of their society. Legend lost much of its spiritual element. However, since it involved real, historical people, it was often used to foster group cohesiveness and loyalty, especially in times of war or oppression. Legends too were teaching tools for the younger generation. Common Characters and Events Myth feature gods, goddess, and human endowed with supernatural powers. They may interact with humans, but generally fight against each other or try to trick each other in an effort to establish primacy.

Legend feature real human beings, often blessed with superior intelligence or strength, but not god like. They will struggle against their fate, external oppressive forces, or worthy adversaries. Examples Myth one famous Greek myth explains the origin of fire. Prometheus (meaning fore-thought) brings the fire of the gods down to men. For this gift he is punished by Zeus by being chained to a rock and having his liver pecked out by vultures. This myth explains from where fire came and the crucial importance of it. Legend the tale of Lady Godiva agreeing to ride naked through the streets of Coventry to free the peasants from an oppressive tax imposed by her husband is still a popular one in England today. Lady Godiva is an actual historic personage who can be found in the Domesday Book but the tale, meant to inspire patriotic sacrifice, could very well be apocryphal. Summary: 1.A myth is a cultural story told about the gods that may be religious in nature, but also instructs about the origins and norms a particular culture; legend also aspires to instruct, but by using real people, not gods. 2.Myths happen in faraway places a long time ago, while legends happen in the definable past.

What is the difference between legend and folktale?

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A folktale is handed down through oral tradition which may become modified over generations. They are circulated by word of mouth as an oral tradition. Paul Bunyan, Cayce Jones, Aesop's Fables, Ali Baba, and numerous others about animals, the world, and its creations - animals, stars, earth, people etc. Some have many lessons or morals to impart others are just stories to explain natural and super-natural events. (For example, Why Bobcat Lost His Tail, Why The Moon Chases the Sun) A legend is narrative that is perceived by the teller and listeners of an event that took place in actual human history. Whether it be events, real people, or actual historic places, there is some basis to legends. Although a legend can be a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events, legends are predominantly focused in an historic time period that may or may not fictionalized and may be written as a supposition to that time period.

A folk story is usually regional. A legend is more widely known. Both should be taken with a grain of salt eventhough they are probably based on truth.

Legends are usually fictionalized accounts of historical events, or historical places, people, or events which are are interwoven with mythological content ex. "the legend of the Trojan War as it is related in Homer's Iliad." A folktale is usually etiological (meaning: having to do with the origins of a particular thing), or explaining the "why" some local practice custom or circumstance. It also usaully has some underlying moral content or a warning of some sort ex. "thus we learn from this story, that one should beware of strangers bearing gifts and promises...") However the moral or warning of a folktale need not be explicit, but can be implicit in the narrative itself.

Beowulf's Fight with Grendel

This is a simplified version of Beowulfs Fight with Grendel. Its for kids aged 12, elementary level. Would you check it, please? Any suggestion and improvement would be very welcome. From the moors and through the mist Grendel comes out of the darkness and creeps towards Heorot. He smashes the iron door of the shining Hall with his bare hands and enters the great building. His heart is joyful. The Hall-guards are all asleep, except one. It is Beowulf. He carefully observes. The monster is full of hate in his dreadful eyes and hungry for flesh. Suddenly he bits into a warriors body with his sharp teeth and completely swallows the unfortunate soldier, even the hands and feet. The blood flows everywhere. Then he moves to kill Beowulf

but the hero is not asleep. He jumps up from his bench with lightning speed and begins to wrestle with the demon. The Hall starts to shake. Tables and benches are smashed against the walls. The creature of the night desperately wants to be free, run back to the moors, hide in the mist and go home, but Beowulf is both strong and bold. The beast roars with pain and fear it is the cry of the defeated. Beowulfs men are all awake now and rush to help their brave master with their swords. They dont know that human weapons cannot wound the beast. The din of the fight is dreadful to hear the shrieks of the monster, the shouts of men. Outside the Hall, the Danes hear it and tremble with fear. The hero pulls the demons arm off. With a scream Grendel runs away, disappears into the darkness and dies alone in the marsh. The following morning, Beowulf nails Grendels arm, from the shoulder to the claws, high up under the roof.