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iomhaigh
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« on: November 26, 2006, 11:33:44 PM » |
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Hi all,
I am planning a few new classes for spring and fall and would like to pick your collective brains a bit.
I am currently on a kick where I am trying to show students that older texts clearly influence contemporary literature and culture by having them read one of the "source" texts (broadly defined) and then current permutations of the stories.
Does anyone have any favorite adapations or modernizations of classic texts such as The Odyssey, Medea, Oedipus, Antigone, The Homeric Hymns, etc.? Texts which are inspired by specific texts or classical mythology are also dandy. Indeed, I think that tracing one or more of the characters through two centuries worth of art & literature might be a lot of fun.
As a result, I'm open to all genres, representations, and time periods. (Right now, I'm excited to look at a Simpson's episode entitled "Homer's Odyssey," a few surrealist plays, and some new art by up and coming artists.)
Any favorites?
Many thanks!
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I am the very model of a modern major general.
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prytania3
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« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2006, 11:36:28 PM » |
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Well, Clueless was based on Emma, but I guess that doesn't go back far enough.
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You would be wise to remember the immortal words of LarryC in giving advice to a forum newbie: Don't piss off Pry or Vox.
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amlithist
I'm a lot of things, but "distinguished"???
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,209
This is just my day job.
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« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2006, 11:40:24 PM » |
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I teach an interdisciplinary class using the Simpsons as its hook, and "Homer's Odyssey" IS pretty fun!
Also, don't forget "O Brother Where Art Thou?" One of my all time favorite movies (where else have you heard, "We thought you was a TOAD" lately?) LOL
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We got some discount knowledge at the junior college
Where we majored in Beer and Girls.
It was all pretty funny 'til we ran out of money
And they threw us out into the world.
These are my people...
--Rodney Atkins
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oldadjunct
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« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2006, 11:55:43 PM » |
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You might want to think about Oedipus and, of all things, Crash -- for a look at the unities and the function of a Prologue. The critics hated Crash for, among other things, the serendipity of the stories. The students loved the non-PC moments, esp. Ludicris. And we were able to talk about how the unities create "types", how a Prologue sets a theme and how "we" always want a happy ending rather than catharsis.
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Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Teaching is not for Wusses.
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plainjane
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« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2006, 11:57:16 PM » |
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Margaret Atwood has a recent novel, The Penelopiad, which was an interesting presentation of The Odyssey from, you guessed it, Penelope's point of view. There are of course a gajillion versions of the Orpheus story that might be interesting to trace. (Ovid, Monteverdi's Orfeo, Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus, Nick Cave's recent album The Lyre of Orpheus...)
If you want to get fairly pop-culturey, Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel series trades quite heavily in Greek mythology, and Sheri Tepper's The Gate to Women's Country is an interesting revision of The Republic as a post-apocalyptic matriarchy.
Sounds like a fun course!
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kishter
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« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2006, 01:32:59 AM » |
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Maybe someone can help me with a title here ...
I read a novel as an undergrad based on ancient mythology. One of the characters (the Prometheus figure) was a kid with psoriasis, constantly picking at his ever-regenerating skin ...
Anyone?
Anyway, it's been many years since I read the book and I still remember it ... um, except the title.
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