The Dual Methods of Motif-extraction: Creating a method for researching textual motifs and mythological entities in the Science of Religion

Abstract

In the textual stories of polytheistic religion we see patterns of character traits, images and situations that seem to repeat themselves across the barriers of time and space. In search of these patterns one could wish for a method for collecting and comparing these small units of comparison. It is my belief that these smaller units of comparative textual imagery is found within the folkloristic term motif. With the aid of a joining of two sciences, that of folkloristics and religious studies, into a cohesive understanding of the term Motif, I will attempt to create a new method for categorization, cataloguing and comparison when dealing with gods, monsters and other characters found in the stories of mythology in general and the Norse mythology in particular. The point of this master thesis being to create a manual for further research into mythological studies with the aid of a specialized practical method built upon a solid theoretical framework. This will be accomplished in this thesis in two parts, the one being the scientific basis for the method and the terms used, the other part being a point by point description of the method as it is used on a corpus of Norse texts. This method will, at its most basic form, be implemented into a computer system to further its use as a comparative tool.