Browse Hierarchy COM6212: Epic Remakes: Ancient Hero(in)es and Modern Society

This module will investigate how some key Greek and Roman mythical figures have been adapted, from antiquity to today, to suit new contexts. How have these ancient Western characters been re-purposed to contemporary social debates? Drawing on artistic media, films, operas, children¿s magazines and even computer games, in addition to literary translations and adaptations, we will focus on characters, mortal and divine, from the Trojan War myths. These may include: Cassandra, Circe, Dido, Penelope, Helen, Briseis; Achilles, Ulysses, Patroclus, Aeneas, Thersites. Analysis will focus on issues of identity and representation, including from intersectional and postcolonial perspectives, and with the intention of raising awareness of how divergences between source and adaptation can perpetuate, or challenge, implicit bias and ideological assumptions. All texts will be studied in English. However, there will be some linguistic support (no prior knowledge assumed) to enable students to engage with some of the choices regarding vocabulary, syntax, and poetic metre, so that translators' choices can be assessed with an eye to the original Latin and ancient Greek.