Humanity has undergone countless changes and experienced many distinct eras. Notable ones include the building of the pyramids of Egypt, the Romans building the Colosseum, and now A.I. We advance and build; it’s one of the great things about being human.
But despite these advancements, beginning to think back to moments in our shared history when times were different, causing a growing interest in Greek mythology in the 21st century.Â
As someone with a classical education, I was raised with immense respect for the ancient tales and even learned how to translate some of them from Latin (don’t ask). But I am not the only one who cares about this culture, as this past summer, Greek mythology took the internet by storm.
Due to the success of the Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson, younger generations are appreciating the stories as told by a global phenomenon. While the original movies weren’t that good, the new adaptation has made a name for itself by being truer to the source material and attracting a wider fanbase. Season three will bring The Titan’s Curse to life for the first time, premiering on Nov. 20, with fans hoping for the announcement of a fourth season.
Then there’s The Odyssey: Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece. Shot completely on 70 mm IMAX film and highlighting practical visual effects, this project stunned film buffs and Greek mythology nerds alike. What do you mean Polyphemus was actually a puppet?
The cinematography was incredible, and the ending was so bittersweet. The bow scene? Oh, that one broke the internet. Also, I will be sat for anything Travis Scott makes a cameo in.
Another mythologically inspired work is Hadestown. This show is primarily known by musical theater fans, though a pro-shot performance was in theaters over the summer. The recording was so successful that the run was extended, beating Hamilton as the highest-grossing musical pro-shot.
Hadestown follows the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as Hades and Persephone, though set in a 1920s-inspired underworld. The story ends the same every time, with Orpheus turning around and losing Eurydice forever. This summer, I came across TikToks mashing up the audios of actors in this tragic tale, tears were shed in my theatre major soul. Notable actors who have performed in this musical include Jon Jon Briones and his daughter Isa, Jordan Fisher, Ali Louis Bourzgui, and Lilias White.
So why the sudden interest in mythological media? Are the subtle messages in these stories, passed down for millennia, finally reaching ears willing to listen? I couldn’t tell you for sure, but one thing I know for certain is that Greek mythology is more relevant to my generation right now than it has been in the past.Â
It’s amazing to see people take an interest in something classic and see all the stories born from these tales. I can’t wait to see how creatives are influenced by Greek mythology in the future, because these stories will not lose their relevance anytime soon.