Theatrical Adaptation

Why Zorro IS a myth. 10-13-06 #6

Well after thinking about different myths and what the definition of a myth is, I read through many different passages on www.wikipedia.com, and found evidence to support the Legend of Zorro to be classified as a myth.

Mythology is defined by wikipeida as “a story or legend, an account or speech, literally meaning the (oral) retelling of myths – stories that a particular culture believes to be true and that use supernatural events or characters to explain the nature of the universe and humanity. In common usage, myth means a falsehood — a story which many believe to be based on fact but which is not true. However, the field of mythology does not use this definition. Myths are narratives about divine or heroic beings, arranged in a coherent system, passed down traditionally, and linked to the spiritual or religious life of a community, endorsed by rulers or priests. Once this link to the spiritual leadership of society is broken, they lose their mythological qualities and become folktales or fairy tales. Not every religious narrative is a myth however; unless it is deeply rooted in tradition, it may also be trivial pious anecdote or legend.”

Wow, long definition but seeing as the “The Legend of Zorro” is a story that has been passed down, retold, and adapted since his first appearance in All-Story Weekly in 1919. It has been passed down in stories both orally and written to tell of the hero named Zorro who comes to oppose the French and later Mexican governments and give justice to the people. Zorro is used to explain the nature of humanity by taking a stand against the corrupt governments and doing what he believes is right to save the country and well all the beautiful women, which if you ask me saving all the beautiful Spanish women would be a nature of the males of humanity if they were given the chance. Zorro has also been related Joaquin Murrieta, the Mexican Robin Hood, California bandit Salomon Pico, Robin Hood himself, and William Lamport, an Irish soldier living in Mexico in the 17th century. Zorro has been linked to finding his basis from these men, but it cannot be proven therefore he is still a myth. The story of Zorro is about a heroic man whose story has been passed down, and no longer, an endorsement of the religious community. Once a story has lost its spiritual backing it loses mythological qualities and becomes a folktale, or a legend. And what do we know the story of Zorro as? “The Legend of Zorro,” right.

So, as we can see, Zorro is in fact a myth. It may not have been the first thing most people thought of when trying to think of a myth. But in my eyes, Zorro is a myth.

posted by Ann @ 3:11 PM