The "so what" behind all of this extensive research is that the rhetoric in these myths and legends is used to teach the moral of the story, an abstract concept, or some important life lesson. This varies from story to story, however the majority of the tales are cautionary ones, often with the moral of the story being to follow the rules and do as you're told so as to not receive punishment. Many Greek myths are cautionary tales, often warning people to heed the gods' wishes so as not to be cursed. Urban legends are also cautionary tales if and when their purpose is not to terrify the reader, often teaching important morals in society around the time they originate. Fairy tales often deal with themes related to growing up, whether it means taking on responsibility, dealing with loss, or learning how to love. Rhetoric is used to teach all of these morals and life lessons, whether it's appeal to pathos in Greek tragedies, the shift in purpose as fairy tales evolve, or the tone of a campfire legend.
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