What is the Difference Between Myth and Folktale?

The main difference between myth and folktale lies in their purpose and subject matter.

Myth:

• A myth is a traditional story that explains a historical or religious phenomenon, often involving supernatural beings.
• Myths are typically associated with religious rituals and beliefs.
• They aim to provide explanations for natural events or the origin of human beings.
• Myths do not usually provide a moral lesson.
• Examples of myths include Greek and Roman mythologies.

Folktale:

• Folktales are stories passed down from ancestors of a particular group of people.
• They are more secular in nature and not associated with religious rituals.
• Folktales often provide a moral lesson.
• The main characters in folktales are usually human beings.
• They do not provide explanations for natural events or the origin of human beings.

Both myths and folktales are passed on through oral means and are often anonymous in terms of their origins. However, myths tend to focus on explaining the world around us and involve supernatural beings, while folktales are more focused on storytelling and providing moral lessons.

Comparative Table: Myth vs Folktale

Here is a table summarizing the differences between myths and folktales: