“CRITICAL FABULATION OF PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY vis-à-vis CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY”
Introduction
“Myths form an important genre of folk literature”
Source
The diversity and richness of Philippine literature evolved side by side with the country's history. This can best be appreciated in the context of the country's pre-colonial cultural traditions and the socio-political histories of its colonial and contemporary traditions. But, according to Christine F. Godinez-Ortega, the vice head and festival director of the National Committee on Literary Arts, average Filipino's unfamiliarity with his indigenous literature was largely due to what has been impressed upon him: that his country was "discovered" and, hence, Philippine "history" started only in 1521. Thus, tracing all the prose oral fictionists would be a difficult one. Meanwhile, behind the scenes on the printed page, oral literature flourished in the outlying communities.
Forms of oral poetry like the Cebuano Balak, the Ilokano Bukanegan, the Tagalog Balagtasan, and the SamalTinis-Tinis, continued to be declaimed by the rural-based bards. In the late 1960’s, Ricaredo Demetillo had pioneered a linkage with the oral tradition. The result was the award-winning Barter in Panay, an epic based on the Ilonggo epic Maragtas. Inspired by the example, other younger poets wrote epics or long poems, and they were duly acclaimed by the major award-giving bodies. Among these poets were writers in English like Cirilo Bautista (The Archipelago, 1968), Artemio Tadena (Northward into Noon, 1970) and Domingo de Guzman (Moses, 1977) (Macasantos, 2015). Furthermore, poets of oral-folk charisma, such as Jose Corazon de Jesus are waiting in the wings for a comeback as astonishing as Lam-ang’s legendary resurrection (Macansantos, 2015).
The well known modern prose fictionist is Severino Reyes. Reyes wrote a series of short stories under the series title Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang for Liwayway, the Tagalog-language magazine. Reyes, also known as "Don Binoy", adopted the persona of Lola Basyang, an elderly woman fond of telling stories to her grandchildren, a character similar in form and function to Mother Goose.On the other hand, Classical Mythology of Greek and Romans depend chiefly upon the Latin poet Ovid who wrote during the reign of Augustus. Hamilton (1942) said that no ancient writer can compare with him in this respect. He told almost all the stories and he told them at great length. Another chief writer whom the myths have come down is Homer. He wrote The Iliad and Odyssey which are the oldest Greek writings. The next writer on the list is Hesiod. He said to be a humble peasant who happened to be the first man in Greece to wonder how everything had happened, the world, the sky, the gods, the mankind, and to think of explanation. Hesiod wrote a poem titled “Theogony” an account of the creation of the universe and the generations of gods. Next in order is Pindar, the greatest lyric poet of Greece. He wrote Odes in honor of the victors in the games at the great national festivals of Greece; followed by Aeschylus, the oldest of the three tragic poets who are Sophocles and Euripides. The great writer of comedy, Aristophanes who lived in the last part of the fifth century and the beginning of the fourth refers often to the myths.
The two late writers Apuleius, a Latin, and Lucian, a Greek both of the second century A.D made an important contribution. The famous story of Cupid and Psyche was told only by Apuleius who wrote very much like Ovid. Lucian wrote like no one except himself. He satirized the gods. Apollodorus, also a Greek is next to Ovid but unlike to Ovid he was very matter-of-fact and very dull. However, of the Roman writers, Virgil stands far ahead. He did not believe in the myths any more than Ovid did, but he found human nature in them and he brought mythological personages to life as no one had done. Furthermore, other Roman poets like Catullus told several stories, and Horace alluded them often. The best guides to knowledge of Greek Mythology are the Greek writers who believed in what they wrote (Hamilton, 1943).
Rationale
Source
To show how human race thought and felt untold ages ago and to give a sacred narrative (Dundes 1984:1) explaining how the world and man came to be in their present time form, the literary scholar would make a critical fabulation on creation of man in Philippines and Greece specifically the stories titled “The First People on Earth (Kinaray-a) and “The Creation of Man by Prometheus”.
“The Creation of Man by Prometheus”.
The clever Titan Prometheus and his stupid brother Epimetheus were spared imprisonment in Tartarus because they had kept their neutrality in the war between the Olympians and the Titans. According to one tradition Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena breathed life into the clay figure. Once man was created, however, Prometheus allowed his scatterbrained brother, Epimetheus, to dispense various qualities to the animals and man. So Epimetheus began by giving the best traits to the animals — swiftness, courage, cunning, stealth, and the like — and he wound up with nothing to give to man. So Prometheus took the matter in hand and gave man an upright posture like the gods. And this gift enabled him to survive. Prometheus had little love for the Olympians, who had banished his fellow Titans to the depths of Tartarus. His primary affection was for man. Now man had to make animal sacrifices to the gods, but a certain portion of the animal was to be given to the gods and a certain portion to man. Zeus had to decide. So Prometheus made two piles. He wrapped the bones in juicy fat and he hid the meat under the ugly hide. Zeus chose the bones wrapped in fat, much to his anger. In retaliation Zeus deprived man of fire. But Prometheus was not to be stopped. He went up to heaven and lighted his torch at the sun and carried it back to earth. Zeus was livid with rage when he saw that man had fire. He ordered that Hephaestus create a mortal of stunning beauty, and when Hephaestus had done so the gods gave this new creature many gifts. But Hermes gave it a deceptive heart and a lying tongue. This was the first woman, Pandora, and a worse calamity never befell man. Prometheus had warned his brother Epimetheus about accepting gifts from Zeus. Yet when Epimetheus saw this radiant creature Pandora he could not resist her. She had brought with her a jar that she was forbidden to open. But being a woman, her curiosity won out. As she opened the lid a multitude of evils flew out and scattered over the world to afflict man. Still, there remained in the jar one consolation for man — Hope. With all the misery Pandora had unleashed hope was the only thing that could keep mankind going. For Prometheus, Zeus reserved a special punishment. In addition to anger at the sacrifice trick and the theft of fire, Zeus knew that Prometheus held the secret of the god who would finally dethrone him. In defiance Prometheus would not tell the secret. Zeus had Prometheus chained to a rock in the Caucasus, and every day he sent an eagle to peck out the Titan's liver, which grew back again every night. This agony was drawn out for ages. There were two conditions on which he could be released from the rock: first, that an immortal must suffer death for Prometheus, and, second, that a mortal must slay the eagle and unchain him. And in time the Centaur Chiron did agree to die for him, while Heracles killed the eagle and unbound him.The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
Long ago the world did not appear as it is now. There was nothing that could be seen. God, Kumawig, created the earth and the water. Now the earth and the water were not on good terms. They were envious of each other. The earth wanted to occupy all the places occupied by the water, and the water wanted the same. Neither of them would give in. One time the water rose up angrily, throwing itself over the land. It was the first great storm, and the earth was greatly changed in shape. The earth was very discontented and avenged itself against the attack of the water by throwing big rocks and stones, and trembled anger. Lumawig felt bad when he saw what the water and earth had done. He said, “There must be peace between the earth and the water. Let there be light”. Then God created the plants and animls of different kinds. God noticed that all that he created was not enough. He saw thye need for man of his own figure to take care of the animals. Therefore, he moulded a clay figure of his own appearance, God blesses the figure and breathed forth the breath of life. That was the first man named Gatan. Gatan lived with the animals. But Gatan was very lonely with the animals, and God knew that he was unhappy. He told Gatan to sleep, and he did. God removed one of his ribs and put it into some molded clay. He blessed the clay and a woman was formed. God then woke up Gatan and said, “Here is Bangan. Take good care of her and you will no longer be lonely. Gatan and Bangan were the first man and woman in the world.
Theoretical Background
This study “CRITICAL FABULATION OF PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY vis-à-vis CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY” found support in the theory of Anthropology. It is also anchored on cultural Anthropology.
Epitacio Pilapis on his book “Introduction to Anthropology” defined the word Anthropology as the study of man. It is taken from two Greek words logos, which means study, or logia to study, and anthropos, which means man. Anthropology defines itself as a discipline of infinite curiosity about human beings. Anthropologists seek answer to enormous variety of questions about humans. They are interested in discovering when, where, and why human appeared on the earth.
Pilapis also mentioned on his book about the branches of Anthropology. He mentioned about cultural anthropology or also known as social anthropology which deals with one of the most significant and revolutionary concepts in the social sciences. According to this approach, humans are distinct from animals. Cultural Anthropologists describe, analyze, and attempt to account for the wide variety of customs and forms of social life of human beings.
Statement of the Problem
The purpose of the study was to analyze and synthesize the two stories as well as to come up with a fabulated mythological stories.
Specifically it sought to answer the following questions:
- What are the themes of the stories?
- What are the cultural contexts reflected in the two stories in terms of:
a. Social customs and traditions
b. Race difference
c. Value system
d. Position of men and women
e. Power structures - What are the aspects of the stories in terms of:
a. Tension or climax
b. Techniques - What are the social settings of the stories in terms of:
a. Type of Society
b. Traditions and Customs
c. Position of man and woman
d. Values or Beliefs upheld by the characters
Investigating the Texts/Analysis
Source
The study presents the data analysis of the two stories titled “The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)” and “Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”. In presenting these data, the problems as stated in Chapter 3 of this paper have been used as basis.
4.1 Themes in the stories
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
- The idea of Birth and Creation
The idea of Birth and Creation - Differentiation
Differentiation
The two stories have the common themes on the idea of birth and creation as well as differentiation. The story “The First Man and Woman” showed the idea of birth and creation as Lumawig-the name of their God, thought of creating a man of his own image to take care the animals he made. Therefore, he molded a clay figure with his own appearance. God noticed that all he created was not enough. He saw a need for man of his own figure and breathed forth the breath of life. That was the first man and he was named Gatan. Moreover, the story “The Creation of Man by Prometheus” also illustrates the theme of birth and creation. Prometheus and Epimetheus, two Titans were spared imprisonment in Tartarus after the Titanomachy, the War between the Titans and the Olympians, because they had not fought alongside the other Titans. Instead, they were given the task of creating man. Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena breathed life into his clay figure.
Furthermore, theme differentiation is very evident in the two texts. Differentiation deals with forming of distinct things out of what was once a formless unity. The story of “The First Man and Woman” stated that long ago the world did not appear. There was nothing to be seen. Lumawig created a man through a moulded clay. While “The Creation of Man by Prometheus” mentioned about the vastness of the world and there was nothing but only chaos. It was also mentioned in the story that Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena breathed life into his clay figure.
4.2. Social Custom
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Patriarchal Society
Patriarchal Society
Both stories uphold the social custom of Patriarchal where males hold primary power, predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and social privilege and control of property. Two creations put more prominence on gender, with special preference to make male as a figure of authority and domain. “The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)” talked about Lumawig who the creator is created the earth and the water. He even created the first man and Woman. In the creation process, he created first the man before the woman which could suggest that male upholds the primary power. In Greek, the story “Creation of Man by Prometheus” also illustrated the male dominant society where Zeus their supreme god punished Titans Prometheus and his stupid brother Epimetheus had given the task to create man. The mentioning of Zeus as the supreme god and the task of creating man justified that the story showed a male dominant society.
4.3. Race/Differences
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Filipino specifically Bontoc in Northern Luzon.
Greek from Greece.
The mentioning of God could justify that the race reflected in the story “The First Man and Woman” is Filipino and the name Lumawig could also justify that the place is from Leyte and the people are Bontoc from Nothern Luzon. Meanwhile, the story “Creation of Man by Prometheus” showed that the race reflected is Greek. The mentioning of names of Zeus, Athena and Titans could justify that they were form Greece and the race is Greek.
4.4. Value System
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Belief that human in every race was created in his own image.
Belief that human’s fate are controlled by gods
4.5. Position of Men and Women
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Men were given authority.
Women is secondary.
Men were given authority. Men are also dominant.
Women is submissive and temptress
The stories uphold the idea that men were given authority and women are just secondary and passive. The story “The Firs Man and Woman” illustrated that male are powerful, with God Lumawig who created the world and the man and woman. He created the man first and then the woman out of his ribs. In the story “Creation of Man by Prometheus”, male were dominant and has the authority while women were considered passive and at the same time temptress. Starting with Zeus who is the supreme god, gave a task to Prometheus and Epimetheus to create a man. These characters were all males. Moreover, to punish man, Zeus had Hephaestus create a mortal of stunning beauty. The gods gave the mortal many gifts of wealth. He then had Hermes give the mortal a deceptive heart and a lying tongue. This creation was Pandora, the first woman.
4.6. Types of Religion presented
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Monotheism- acknowledges the existence of only one god.
Polytheism- reflects the worship or belief in multiple deities assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses.
In the story “The First Man and Woman”, it was only Lumawig the God who created man and woman and no other gods. While the story “Creation of Man by Prometheus”, there were several gods mentioned like Zeus, Athena, etc.
4.7. Power Structure
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Hierarchical Power structure
Hierarchical Power structure
Both stories showed Hierarchical Power structure. Lumawig in the story “The First Man and Woman” served as the one who is on the top because of his power to create the earth, the water and humans. Zeus, in the story “Creation of Man by Prometheus” also on the top since he was the supreme god.
4.8 Climax or Tension
The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
God Lumawig noticed that all he created was not enough. He saw the need for a man.
To punish man, Zeus had Hephaestus create a mortal of stunning beauty. The gods gave the mortal many gifts of wealth. He then had Hermes give the mortal a deceptive heart and a lying tongue. This creation was Pandora, the first woman. A final gift was a jar which Pandora was forbidden to open. Thus, Zeus sent Pandora to Epimetheus, who had decided to live amongst men.
4.9 Techniques Used
“The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)”
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Chronological story line
Framework story
Source
The first story used the chronological story line where the story began with “Long ago the world did not appear”, “God created the earth and the water and so on and so forth. There was a sequence of the story. While in the “Creation of Man by Prometheus”, it used Framing device where a story within a story told. The clever Titan Prometheus and his stupid brother Epimetheus were spared imprisonment in Tartarus because they had kept their neutrality in the war between the Olympians and the Titans. According to one tradition Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena breathed life into the clay figure. Once man was created, however, Prometheus allowed his scatterbrained brother, Epimetheus, to dispense various qualities to the animals and man. So Epimetheus began by giving the best traits to the animals — swiftness, courage, cunning, stealth, and the like — and he wound up with nothing to give to man. The lines above showed that there was story ahead before the creation started.
4.9 Social Setting
“The First Man and Woman (Bonito)”
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
The story takes place long ago where there were only animals, plants and the first people.
The story takes places after war between the Olympians and the Titans
5.0 Type of Society shown in the Texts
“The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)”
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
A male dominant society
A male dominant society
Both stories showed a male dominant society where the one who created the world and humans are male gods.
5.1. Custom and Tradition
“The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)”
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
The use of clay in molding
The use of clay in molding
In both stories, the mud or clay was used in creating the first man and woman.
5.2 Values or Beliefs upheld by the Characters
“The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)”
“Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”
Lumawig- benevolence and kindness
Prometheus- helpful and loving
In the story “The First Man and Woman (Bontoc)”, Lumawig said: There must be peace between the earth and the water. In the story “Creation of Man by Prometheus (Greek)”, Prometheus loved man more than the Olympians, who had banished most of his family to Tartarus. So when Zeus decreed that man must sacrifice a portion of each food to the gods, Prometheus decided to trick Zeus.
Synthesis: Fabulated Mythical Story
Through the analysis, I have found out commonalities and difference of the two stories. Both stories used the clay to create human. The two stories also showed a society where men are dominant. But, in the Greek creation the role of a woman was emphasized as temptress and passive as Pandora the first woman gave the box contained evil spirits.
Furthermore, out from the synthesis, the literary critic come out with this fabulated story.
Works Cited
Cole, M. (1916).Philippine Folklore Stories. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.
Cruz, Neal. (2008.) “As I See It: Philippine mythological monsters”. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati: Philippines
Eugenio, D. (2001). Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths. University of The Philippines Press.
Miller, Andrei. (2007) “Magical Creatures and Non-Human Beings.” Retrived from http://www.mysiquijor.com/MagicCreatures.html.
Scott, William Henry. (1994) Barangay: Sixteenth Century Philippine Culture and Society. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.
Pilaspis, E. (2007). Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology. Manila: Rex Book Store.
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