Caleb Maurer
Mr. KusherOct 22, 2014
Period 7
A New Perspective through Ancient MythThe werewolf, in an archetypal myth perspective, can be expressed in different archetypes or recurring image. By looking at this story in this point of view I found a connection to a very familiar story, Little Red Riding Hood and is easily familiarized throughout the story. Myths and a form of religion are seen in this story by actions taken by people of the story and what goes on throughout.
Myths, this story, by changing from one being to another could tie into a variety of different myths used in Greek Mythology. As for example, the myth of Ganymede, Zeus comes in the form of an eagle and carried a Trojan prince to Mount Olympus. Also, in the myth of Io, in a much shortened version, Zeus falls in love with her, but Hera becomes furious with this so she comes down from Mount Olympus, Zeus turns Io into a white cow. This not only compares to this story from changing forms, but also changing from a human being to an animal.
Religion, people of the northern country, in the story, believed this extra nipple as a form of witchcraft and these “witches” were believed to have picnics with satan himself in graveyards and these people with these werewolf traits would be stoned to death. This type of justification can date back easily into the Middle Ages where people were killed for being witches, or worshipping satan as a Christian would most likely mention it.
This story can also be broken down by different parts. The stories persona, which is the image it presents to the world, is that werewolves and wolves in general are wicked, deadly, or the woods are a sinister place. There are many Archetypes or recurring images in this story such as what could be considered the “shadow” which would focus on the people of the north. The shadow is the opposite of a hero, or the dark side of ourselves, the people of the north were cruel to these werewolf like people and killed them. The