Human and Non-Human Representation in Myths

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Human and Non-Human Representation in Myths
How are relationships between humans and non-humans represented in myths? Discuss with reference to species hierarchies, multi-species interactions, or the symbolic role occupied by certain creatures in mythology.
Historically, philosophers and historians have always used myths to represent and understand the relationship between humans and non-humans, including animals, plants, and supernatural beings. The myths have been used to represent the relationship between humans and the natural world and how they have been represented through hierarchical interactions. The relationships are complex and vary depending on the social and cultural values they represent. Non-humans such as gods, spirits, animals, or even monsters are represented in myths as allies or adversaries of humans. Myths display the hierarchy or mythical kingdom to have a supreme god, and the other creatures follow, as the essay discusses.
Myths outline clearly the hierarchical representation of humans and non-humans in their world. They design a world with human and non-human representation following a specific hierarchy (Wilke,68). In mythical setups, gods are supreme beings in that kingdom. The gods are supernatural beings with superpowers that no other creature would match. They control everything that happens, including causing rains and bumper harvests and giving and taking away lives. All other creatures, humans and non-humans, have to respect the directives of their gods by obeying and doing all they want. The gods have their hierarchy in their spiritual world, which the humans and other creatures have no extensive understanding of since they interact little with the rest of the humans and non-humans. They always want to remain synonymous so that all the others can respect and follow their rules. Humans come second on the hierarchy since they contain the knowledge and understanding hence put above animals and plants. Humans must care for other creatures and create a good relationship to ensure their world is peaceful (Wilke,70). They care for the animals, are portrayed as their friends, care for the plants, and ensure they improve the world. Humans should also show others how to respect the gods and follow their commands.
Most traditional mythologies consider humans as intellectual beings able to rule, think and act. Animals and plants follow since they cannot think and lead others. Animals are portrayed as good friends to humans and even serve and feed them in their heads. However, these myths are based on the cultural society they are created since, in some setups, animals are treated as sacred and rank higher in the hierarchy than humans (Watts,27). In this case, the myths challenge the hierarchical view and composition of the natural world by portraying humans as submissive creatures while animals and plants are supreme. Some mythologies see animals as sacred beings with unique powers and abilities, putting them higher in the hierarchy. Some even take them as their gods and see them as their guides and protectors. Humans have to honor and respect them due to the powers they possess. As supernatural creatures, animals have been portrayed to own the natural world and c...