Myth and legend are among the oldest literary forms created by culture. While myth is striving for theological and mystical dimensions of reality, the legend deals with historical issues, and thus locates the narrated events in concrete time and place. These two expressive literary forms, are among the most important factors of collective memory – the way that society understands its past, its relation with supernatural entities that are the foundations of its religion and beliefs, and its understanding of its present and future.
In this course, will be presented and studied the theoretical aspects of myth and legend and their relations to literary theory, folklore and cultural studies.
These theoretical foundations will be tested and confronted with essential texts from rabbinic (Talmud and Midrash) literature, and of Jewish culture of the Middle-Ages.