📚Myth and Literature Unit 10 – Modern Myth Retellings and Adaptations

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Myth a traditional story, typically involving supernatural beings or events, used to explain aspects of the natural world or human behavior
• Retelling a new version of an old story, often updated for modern audiences
• Adaptation a retelling that changes the original story's medium (novel to film), setting, characters, or plot
• Intertextuality the relationship between texts, often involving allusions, references, or borrowing of elements
• Archetype a recurring symbol, character type, or narrative pattern found across different cultures and stories
• Motif a recurring element, theme, or idea within a literary work or across multiple works
• Allegory a story in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities
  • Often conveys a hidden meaning or message (Animal Farm as an allegory for the Russian Revolution)

Historical Context of Myth Retellings

• Oral tradition myths were originally passed down through generations by storytellers before being recorded in writing
• Classical mythology ancient Greek and Roman myths have been retold and adapted countless times throughout history
  • Influential works include Ovid's Metamorphoses and Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
• Medieval adaptations mythological figures and themes were often incorporated into Christian stories and artwork during the Middle Ages
  • Arthurian legends drew upon Celtic mythology and were popularized in medieval romances
• Romantic era poets like Keats and Shelley drew inspiration from classical myths, reimagining them for their own time
• 20th century modernists such as James Joyce and T.S. Eliot frequently alluded to mythological stories in their works
  • Joyce's Ulysses is a modern retelling of Homer's Odyssey set in Dublin
• Postmodern retellings often subvert or deconstruct traditional mythological narratives (Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad)

Popular Modern Adaptations

• Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series reimagines Greek mythology in a contemporary setting with modern teenage characters
• Neil Gaiman's American Gods incorporates mythological figures from various cultures into a story about old gods struggling in modern America
• Madeline Miller's Circe retells the story of the mythological sorceress from her own perspective, exploring themes of gender and power
• Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon retells Arthurian legends from the point of view of the female characters
• Kamila Shamsie's Home Fire is a modern adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone, set in the context of the War on Terror
• The musical Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell adapts the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, incorporating elements of American folk music
• Many superhero comics and films draw upon mythological archetypes and storylines (Thor, Wonder Woman)

Techniques for Modernizing Myths

• Updating the setting to a contemporary or future time period
  • Relocating ancient stories to modern cities or imagined futures (Olympus as a New York City skyscraper in Percy Jackson)
• Reimagining characters as relatable figures with modern sensibilities and challenges
• Incorporating current social, political, and cultural issues into the narrative
  • Exploring themes like gender inequality, racism, or environmental destruction through a mythological lens
• Blending elements from different mythological traditions to create new, hybrid stories (American Gods)
• Using a minor character's perspective to offer a fresh take on well-known myths (Circe, The Penelopiad)
• Adapting the story's medium, such as transforming an epic poem into a novel, play, or film
• Subverting or deconstructing traditional mythological tropes and archetypes
  • Portraying heroes as flawed or villains as sympathetic

Themes and Motifs in Contemporary Retellings

• The hero's journey a common narrative structure in which the protagonist undergoes trials and transformation (Percy Jackson)
• Fate vs. free will characters grappling with destiny and the consequences of their choices
• Power and authority exploring the nature and abuse of power, often through the lens of gods and mortals
• Identity and belonging characters navigating their place in the world, often as outsiders or half-human, half-divine figures (Circe, Percy Jackson)
• Love and sacrifice the enduring power of love and the sacrifices characters make for it (Orpheus and Eurydice in Hadestown)
• Hubris and downfall characters undone by their own pride or ambition, echoing classical tragic heroes
• Nature and civilization the clash between the natural world and human society, often represented by gods and mortals
• Gender and sexuality retellings that explore gender roles, feminism, and LGBTQ+ identities through a mythological framework (Circe, The Mists of Avalon)

Critical Analysis of Adaptations

• Examining how the retelling interprets and comments on the original myth
  • Identifying what elements are preserved, altered, or subverted
• Analyzing the effectiveness of modernization techniques in making the story relevant to contemporary audiences
• Assessing how the adaptation engages with current social, political, or cultural issues
  • Evaluating its commentary on power structures, gender roles, or other themes
• Comparing and contrasting the adaptation with other retellings of the same myth
• Considering the adaptation's place within the broader tradition of mythological storytelling
  • Examining its intertextual relationships with other works
• Evaluating the adaptation's artistic merits, such as its literary style, characterization, or visual aesthetics (in the case of films or plays)
• Analyzing how the adaptation's medium shapes its interpretation of the myth (novel vs. film vs. stage production)

Cultural Impact and Reception

• Retellings can introduce classical myths to new generations of readers
  • Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series has sparked interest in Greek mythology among young adults
• Adaptations can provide fresh perspectives on familiar stories, encouraging audiences to reconsider their assumptions
  • Madeline Miller's Circe challenges traditional portrayals of female characters in Greek mythology
• Modern retellings can serve as a form of cultural critique, using mythological frameworks to comment on contemporary issues
  • Kamila Shamsie's Home Fire explores the complexities of British Muslim identity through the lens of Antigone
• Successful adaptations can inspire further retellings and adaptations, contributing to the ongoing evolution of mythological storytelling
• Retellings can help to preserve and revitalize interest in the original myths, ensuring their continued cultural relevance
• Adaptations can foster cross-cultural understanding by highlighting the universal themes and archetypes found in myths from different traditions
• The popularity of modern retellings can lead to increased scholarly interest in the study of mythology and its role in contemporary culture

Creating Your Own Modern Myth Retelling

• Choose a myth that resonates with you and consider how it could be adapted for a modern audience
• Decide on the setting, time period, and medium for your retelling (novel, short story, play, film)
• Identify the key themes, characters, and plot points from the original myth that you want to preserve or adapt
• Develop your characters, updating them for your chosen setting and giving them modern motivations and challenges
• Consider how you can incorporate contemporary social, political, or cultural issues into your narrative
  • Use the mythological framework to comment on or critique aspects of modern society
• Determine which elements of the original myth you want to subvert, deconstruct, or reimagine
  • Experiment with different perspectives, gender roles, or narrative structures
• Research other adaptations of your chosen myth to ensure your retelling offers a fresh and original take
• Create an outline or story map to organize your plot, character arcs, and key themes
• As you write, be mindful of the balance between preserving the essence of the original myth and making it accessible to modern readers
• Seek feedback from beta readers or writing groups to refine your work and gauge its effectiveness as a modern retelling