Final answer:
The modern categorization of Greek myths into myth/legend/folktale is unhelpful because these stories were central to Greek culture and served various educational and moral purposes, as well as because the Greeks' approach to myth evolved from mythopoetic to rational, blurring the lines between categories.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing Greek myth, the modern distinction between myth, legend, and folktale is not always helpful for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Greek myths often contain elements that transcend simple categorizations. These stories were central to Greek culture, containing important moral, religious, and societal lessons that do not fit neatly into one genre. They were part of a mythopoetic tradition that was more concerned with conveying truths through storytelling rather than through factual accuracy.
Secondly, myths, as they developed, began to serve a multitude of purposes beyond their original context. Greek myths were not only entertaining stories but also part of an educational system, akin to encyclopedias that taught everything from warfare to family life and thus cannot be strictly categorized. The Greeks themselves started examining and questioning their myths, exhibiting a move from mythos to logos—from a mythical to a rational mode of thought—demonstrated by Greek playwrights and philosophers. Therefore, insisting on a rigid classification system overlooks the dynamic and evolving role that mythology played in ancient Greek society.