The video 'What Is Myth? Crash Course World Mythology #1' explores the complex nature of mythology, emphasizing its significance and staying power as special kinds of stories that explain the world and human experience. It also discusses the challenges in defining myths, their interpretations, and the plan for the series to cover various themes such as creation myths, pantheons, heroes, and myths in the modern world.

This chapter introduces the complexity of mythology, highlighting its intersections with various fields such as literature, history, and psychology. It emphasizes the interpretative nature of myths and the challenges posed by their multiple versions and the blurred line between myth and religion.

The chapter explores the definition and characteristics of myths, distinguishing them from folktales and fairy tales. It emphasizes the significance and staying power of myths, noting their deep cultural importance and the challenges in defining and attributing them.