Greek mythology has had a great influence on Western civilization and literature over time until the present day. Greek myths have inspired artists to create paintings, sculptures, digital artworks, etc. In literature and film Greek myths have become embedded in poetry, short stories, plays, novels, graphic novels, verse novels, picture books, films, cartoons, etc. In all these adaptations writers, directors, and artists have their own artistic agenda when using Greek myths as part of their works. The course will look at the relationship between myth and identity, myth and history, myth and ideology, and myth and authorship. The course will consider modern adaptations of Greek mythology in a wide range of formats analyzing the role that the intertextual references to mythology play in these modern works and considering how the modern texts reflect on issues raised by Greek myths.

Greek mythology has had a great influence on Western civilization and literature over time until the present day. Greek myths have inspired artists to create paintings, sculptures, digital artworks, etc. In literature and film Greek myths have become embedded in poetry, short stories, plays, novels, graphic novels, verse novels, picture books, films, cartoons, etc. In all these adaptations writers, directors, and artists have their own artistic agenda when using Greek myths as part of their works. The course will look at the relationship between myth and identity, myth and history, myth and ideology, and myth and authorship. The course will consider modern adaptations of Greek mythology in a wide range of formats analyzing the role that the intertextual references to mythology play in these modern works and considering how the modern texts reflect on issues raised by Greek myths.

Primary Texts
Almond, David. A Song for Ella Grey. London, Hachette, 2014.
Barker, Pat. The Silence of the Girls. London, Penguin Books, 2018; 2019.
Block, Francesca Lia. Psyche in a Dress. New York, Joanna Cotler Books, 2006.
Elliott, David. Bull. Boston and New York, Clarion Books, 2017.
Lashof, Carol S. Medusa’s Tale. Youthplays, 1991.
Lashof, Carol S. Persephone Underground. Youthplays, 2010.
Miller, Madeline. The Song of Achilles. London, Bloomsbury, 2011; 2017.
Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. London, Penguin, 2005.
Smythe, Rachel. Lore Olympus. Volume One. New York, Del Rey, 2021.
Williams, Marcia. Greek Myths. London, Walker Books, 1991; 2006.

Secondary Texts
Fry, Stephen. Mythos. The Greek Myths Retold. London, Penguin Books, 2018.
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Taipei, Bookman, 1940; 1942.
Morales, Helen. Classical Mythology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2007.