A Modern Adaptation Of Homer s Odyssey Essay - 933 Words

A modern adaptation of Homer s Odyssey – one of the most widely read ancient literary works in the world – Margaret Atwood s novella, The Penelopiad, retells this classic story, this time from the perspective of Penelope, Odysseus wife, who spent ten long years waiting faithfully for him to return form the Trojan war, and is now lameting her life from the greek underworld, Hades. The Penelopiad deconstructs the portrayal of penelope in the Odyssey, showing that instead of waiting and wasting away, she instead employed her wits, feminine charm and strength of character to build a strong empire and achieve her own ends, or at least, that s what she would like us to believe. Chapter 26 is a courtroom scene, where Odysseus is on trial for the hanging of the 12 maids, which he justifies by convincing the judge of their supposed indescretions. Atwood employs various literary devices, such as the exploitation of genre and dark humour, to convey the double standard between gen ders, the failures of the justice system, and the lack of consequences awarded to those in power. One of the most obvious themes in this chapter is how much the justice system failed the maids, who were, in essence, innocent. Having been raped by the suitors, the fact that they were put to death for not asking Odysseus permission to sleep with them is ludicrous, as the very definition of rape relies on a lack of permission. The choice of setting and style for this chapter is ironic, as, set in aShow MoreRelatedWhen It Comes To Adapting An Existing Story, We Must First1409 Words   |  6 PagesWhen it comes to adapting an existing story, we must first look at what literary adaptation is. Literary adaptation, is the adapting of a storybook source, such as a novel, short story or poem, to another genre or medium such as a film, stage play, or video game. It can also involve adapting the same literary work in the same genre or medium, just for different purposes. For instance, maybe to work with a smaller cast, in a smaller setting, or even for a different demographic group, such a s adjustingRead MoreMythology And Legends Of Ancient Greek Film The Traveling Players ( 1975 )1879 Words   |  8 PagesThere are lots of myths and legends of ancient Greek hero Orestes who have been widely discussed and appreciated throughout the history. From the Homeric poem The Odyssey to a more recent Greek film The Traveling Players (1975), Orestes both represents an example for vengeance of homicide. However, while the former regards Orestes’ revenge as a totally justifiable and glorious deed and sets him as a prototype for Telemachos to take on the journey in search of news for his wandering father, the latterRead MoreThe Fiction of Literature: Folk Tales, Fan Fiction, and Oral Tradition in the Internet Age2388 Words   |  10 Pagesremember ever reading or hearing any version of it.† This cultural awareness of a story is the direct result of the adaptations and additions Tolkien described. First with official illustrations, and later with an entire genre of Tolkien-inspired bands and musicians, and even a ballet, many other hands and minds have added to the majestic whole. In recent years, the Peter Jackson adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, a story once thought to be unfilmable, are considered to be among the best films of allRead MoreThe Greek Mythology : A Normative Critique1754 Words   |  8 PagesTruly Mythology? The Modern Greek Mythology : A Normative Critique.   Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. It was a part of the religion in ancient Greece. Modern scholars refer to and study the myths in an attempt to shed light on the religious and political institutions of Ancient Greece and its civilization, and toRead More Tom Robbins Jitterbug Perfume Essay3119 Words   |  13 PagesJitterbug Perfume In his 1984 novel Jitterbug Perfume, Tom Robbins presents a narrative that rivals the often fantastical tales told in myth. Using classical mythology as a foundation, and, in particular, providing a loose adaptation of The Odyssey by Homer, Robbins updates and modifies characters and concepts in an effort to reinforce the importance of the journey of life and the discovery of self. Like the ancient myth-makers, Robbins commands the reader’s attention with outrageous situationsRead MoreDynamic Learning Program3987 Words   |  16 Pages | |7:40- 9:10 |90 | Science |Math and Computer Science | |9:10- 9:30 |20 |R E C E S S | |9:30- 11:00 |90 | Math and Computer Science |Science Read MoreEudora Welty a Worn Path12166 Words   |  49 PagesTable of Contents 1. A Worn Path: Introduction 2. Eudora Welty Biography 3. Summary 4. Characters 5. Themes 6. Style 7. Historical Context 8. Critical Overview 9. Essays and Criticism 10. Compare and Contrast 11. Topics for Further Study 12. Media Adaptations 13. What Do I Read Next? 14. Bibliography and Further Reading 15. Copyright Introduction Eudora Weltys A Worn Path, first published in Atlantic Monthly in February, 1941, is the tale of Phoenix Jacksons journey through the woods of MississippiRead MoreEudora Welty a Worn Path12173 Words   |  49 PagesTable of Contents 1. A Worn Path: Introduction 2. Eudora Welty Biography 3. Summary 4. Characters 5. Themes 6. Style 7. Historical Context 8. Critical Overview 9. Essays and Criticism 10. Compare and Contrast 11. Topics for Further Study 12. Media Adaptations 13. What Do I Read Next? 14. Bibliography and Further Reading 15. Copyright Introduction Eudora Weltys A Worn Path, first published in Atlantic Monthly in February, 1941, is the tale of Phoenix Jacksons journey through the woods of Mississippi