Discuss how modern authors incorporate mythological elements into their narratives. Select a contemporary novel or short story collection from the last fifty years that utilizes mythology. Analyze how the author adapts mythological themes and characters to modern contexts and the impact on the overall narrative. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Modern Resurgence of Mythology in Contemporary Literature
Introduction
In the realm of literature, mythology has long been a source of inspiration for authors seeking to imbue their narratives with timeless themes, archetypal characters, and rich symbolism. This essay will delve into how modern authors incorporate mythological elements into their narratives, focusing on a contemporary novel that showcases this trend. Specifically, we will explore how mythology is adapted to modern contexts in Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods,” published in 2001, and analyze the impact of these adaptations on the overall narrative.
Thesis Statement
In “American Gods,” Neil Gaiman masterfully intertwines ancient mythological elements with contemporary settings and characters, creating a narrative that explores the relevance of old gods in a modern world and delves into themes of identity, belief, and cultural heritage.
Adapting Mythological Themes to Modern Contexts
One of the key aspects of Gaiman’s “American Gods” is how he seamlessly weaves together mythological themes from various cultures into a modern American landscape. The novel introduces readers to a world where old gods from ancient mythologies coexist with new gods representing modern phenomena such as technology and media. For example, Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology, wanders the streets of America alongside deities like Media and Technical Boy, who embody contemporary obsessions and innovations.
Gaiman’s adaptation of mythological themes to modern contexts serves to highlight the evolving nature of belief systems and the clash between tradition and progress in today’s society. By juxtaposing ancient gods struggling for relevance in a world dominated by new ideologies, Gaiman prompts readers to reflect on the enduring power of myth and the ways in which it continues to shape our understanding of the world.
Reimagining Mythological Characters in Contemporary Settings
Moreover, Gaiman’s characterization of mythological figures in “American Gods” offers a fresh take on familiar archetypes, infusing them with complexity and humanity. For instance, the protagonist Shadow Moon embodies the archetype of the reluctant hero, caught between the machinations of warring gods and forced to confront his own identity and beliefs. Through Shadow’s journey, Gaiman explores timeless themes of destiny, sacrifice, and redemption, resonating with readers on a deeper level beyond mere entertainment.
Additionally, characters like Mr. Wednesday (Odin) and Mad Sweeney (a leprechaun) are reimagined as charismatic yet flawed beings grappling with existential dilemmas and personal demons. By humanizing these mythological entities and placing them in contemporary settings, Gaiman blurs the lines between the divine and the mundane, inviting readers to reconsider their perceptions of both myth and reality.
Impact on the Overall Narrative
The incorporation of mythological elements into “American Gods” enriches the narrative with layers of meaning and symbolism that transcend time and culture. Gaiman’s exploration of faith, identity, and the power of storytelling resonates with readers on a universal level, prompting introspection and dialogue about the role of mythology in shaping individual and collective consciousness. Through his masterful blend of ancient myths and modern storytelling techniques, Gaiman crafts a compelling narrative that challenges traditional boundaries and invites readers to reevaluate their understanding of myth and its enduring relevance in a rapidly changing world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods” exemplifies how modern authors can skillfully incorporate mythological elements into their narratives to create immersive and thought-provoking stories. By adapting mythological themes and characters to contemporary contexts, Gaiman explores timeless questions about belief, identity, and cultural heritage in a way that captivates readers and invites them to ponder the enduring power of myth in a modern world. As mythology continues to inspire and inform contemporary literature, works like “American Gods” stand as shining examples of the transformative impact that ancient stories can have on our understanding of the present.
