Folklore,

Myth, and
Legend
Lesson Questions:
• What is
folklore?
• What is the
difference
between a myth
and legend?
 W
FOLKLORE: R
I
the traditional T
stories, E
beliefs, and
customs of a
group of
people.
 THE JOURNEY OF FOLKLORE
Oral storytelling (using spoken language to tell stories) is the way that stories were told and folklore preserved for thousands
of years, as most people in cultures throughout the world could not fluently read or write.

Folk tales, myths and legends are all kinds of stories which were originally shared in spoken form. Usually taking the form of
an allegorical tale (with a moral about living life in a good way), myths and legends often feature mythical creatures and
famous heroes/warriors.

This is why there are often many variations of the same core story between different cultures. One example is the tale of
Little Red Riding Hood, which has been rewritten many times with a number of different endings depending on who tells the
story.

Both historical facts and imaginative stories were shared by word of mouth, and so the two would sometimes intertwine to
create myths and legends.

Summarise
this
information
in bullet
points.
What is a Legend?
Legends are stories which are thought to be based on true events, but have developed fictional
elements, which have deep significance to the culture from which they originate.

The Legend of King Arthur:

Although many historians agree that he existed as a Romano-British leader between
the 5th and 6th century, there are a number of legends within British folklore which
cannot be verified. For example, that he achieved his royal status by pulling his
sword, Excalibur, from a stone within the centre of a lake.

What is a Myth?
Myths are stories derived from cultural traditions or legends, which have a deep symbolic meaning
and usually involve a lesson which will be helpful to the listener or reader.

The Greek Myth of Persephone:

used to understand and give meaning to the changing seasons. Persephone,
(daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest), personifies plants and flowers. When
she makes her journey to the Underworld to live with Hades in winter, vegetation on
earth withers and dies. When she returns to live with her mother on earth, plants bloom
and flourish once more.
Each table has the brief summary of a piece of folklore.

Discuss:
Is your story a legend or a myth?
With reference to the definitions noted, why do you believe
this?

Elect two group speakers, One to read your extract out loud,
and another to explain why you believe the story is either a
legend or a myth.
What is the key difference in how
the myth of Robin Hood was
created and how Mary Shelley
wrote Frankenstein?

Robin Hood does not have a

named author. Having been
passed down numerous people
have contributed to the story.

However, named authors use

myth and legend as inspiration…
Today we are going to look at a piece of Jewish Folklore,
The Golem of Prague, which influenced Mary Shelley.

What do you already know about Judaism and Jewish

people?

Discuss and make bullet points.

The general view of historians and critics is that the story of the Golem of Prague was a German
literary invention of the early 19th century. However, Some Orthodox Jews believe the in the
existence of a golem. 

PLANNING TASK:

Thinking back to the tradition of oral storytelling, we will

watch a retelling of The Golem of Prague.

Make notes as we watch.

You will be writing out own retelling of the story …

Blood Libel
noun
1.an accusation that Jewish people used
the blood of Christians in religious rituals,
especially in the preparation of Passover
bread, that was perpetrated throughout
the Middle Ages and (sporadically) until
the early 20th century.

Pogrom
noun
1.an organized massacre of a
particular ethnic group, in particular
that of Jewish people in Russia or
eastern Europe in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nq5fCnm3Yc
 LESSON QUESTIONS:

• What is folklore?
• What is the difference between a myth
and legend?

Is The Golem of Prague a myth or a legend?

Explain with reference to our discussions this lesson.
The Golem
of Prague

Lesson Question:
How does the Golem of
Prague compare to
Frankenstein’s Monster?
Beginning

Middle

End