REBc50 Ancient Myths in Contemporary European Literature

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Petros Marazopoulos, PhD (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Petros Marazopoulos, PhD
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 8:00–9:40 A21, except Mon 21. 4. to Sun 27. 4.
Prerequisites
There are no special requirements for taking the course. The students will work with English translations of texts, therefore knowledge of Greek is not necessary.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 14 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to discuss the concept of ancient myth and its reception in contemporary European and Greek literature. Myth, as an oral history, concerns for the ancient world a sacred story about the creation of the world and contains references to heroes and theogony. In modern times, the relationship between myth and literature proves to be multifaceted, as myths evolve and change through literary texts. Thus, this course discusses transformations of ancient myths in literature, poetry and films and examines the reception of ancient myths in the literary tradition.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, a student will be able to:
have a deep knowledge of the ancient Greek myths
understand the reception of ancient myths in Literature, cinema and poetry
understand the concept of intertextuality and the relationship between ancient myth and art, painting and theatre
get acquainted with the contemporary myths and their role in literary tradition
Syllabus
  • Lessons 1-3: The concept of myth: Introduction. Metamorphoses of ancient myths in literature and cinema.
  • Myth and intertextuality: from painting to literature and from theatre to poetry
  • Lessons 4-7: English Romanticism and the Greek gods and titans.
  • The myth of Phaedra.
  • The myth of Medea in literature and cinema.
  • The myth of Penelope
  • Lessons 8-9: The reception of modern myths in literature.
  • The myth of Pope Joan
  • Lessons 10-11: Ancient myths in European cinema and theatre.
  • Medea by Pier Paolo Pasolini
  • Lessons 12-13: Semester Thesis Presentations
Literature
  • Greek myths (Orig.) : Řecké mýty [Burn, 1999]. info
  • The greek myths (Orig.) : Řecké mýty. 1 : Řecké mýty. 2. info
  • ELIADE, Mircea. Mýty, sny a mystéria. Translated by Jiří Vízner. Vyd. 1. Praha: Oikoymenh, 1998, 195 s. ISBN 80-86005-63-1. info
  • Companion to literary myths, heroes and archetypes. Edited by Pierre Brunel, Translated by Wendy Allatson - Judith Hayward - Trista. London: Routledge, 1996, xvi, 1223. ISBN 0415133637. info
  • ELIADE, Mircea. Mýtus o věčném návratu : (archetypy a opakování). 1. vyd. Praha: Oikoymenh, 1993, 102 s. ISBN 808524151X. info
  • Deakin University. School of Humanities. Open Campus Program. Myth and ideology. Unit D, Surviving myths. Study guide. Geelong, Vic.: Deakin University, 1990, 164 p. : i. ISBN 0-7300-0724-335. info
  • VERNANT, Jean-Pierre and Pierre VIDAL-NAQUET. Myth and tragedy in ancient Greece. Translated by Janet Lloyd. New York: Zone books, 1990, 527 stran. ISBN 9780942299199. info
  • KIRK, G. S. Myth : its meaning and functions in ancient and other cultures. 1st pbk. ed. Cambridge: University Press, 1973, xii, 299. ISBN 0520023897. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars, class discussions, group projects
Assessment methods
Students are required to submit a final written assignment at the end of the semester, from which their grade will be derived. The topic of the assignment will be on transformations of ancient myths in European literature or European cinema. Students will decide together with the instructor on the topic of their assignments. The projects are presented in class at the last lesson of the semester.
Language of instruction
English
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