Dispersion Theory Of LIT-229 World Mythology

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Anthony Pellegrino Professor Schoolcraft LIT-229 World Mythology 30 July 2023 Milestone Three There are many theories on how myths spread and preserve their cultural significance throughout generations, two examples of these theories are dispersion theory and the theory of collective unconscious. Dispersion theory is a belief that some of the original themes and archetypes of myths were made by one culture an incredibly long time ago and was spread as the culture emigrated throughout generations. Collective unconscious is a theory that states there is a segment of the unconscious mind within all humanity that shares ancestral memories and experiences. Both theories can be applied to give us a further understanding of myths. Dispersion …show more content…

These myths share many similarities, the most obvious of which being while both Volos and Osiris are gods of the afterlife in their mythologies, both gods additionally share life related titles, with Volos being the god of earth, water and livestock where Osiris was additionally the god of agriculture, fertility, life and vegetation. Another notable similarity between the two, Osiris is depicted in a partial dog form since his ascension to godhood, and Volos shifts between a human and a similar partial wolf form various times throughout his …show more content…

This distinct resemblance could be explained by cults of Osiris emigrating from Egypt and dispersing ancient Egyptian myths throughout the continent. After the end of ancient Egypt, elements of the myth of Osiris can be seen in emerging cultures over the following centuries, due to the lasting influence of the cults. This is a direct example of dispersion theory, and these two gods show how it can apply to the spread and evolution of myths, also suggesting that the myths of Volos are a distant evolution of the myths of