Classical References in Popular Culture

1. Classical References in Popular Culture Michelle Esch July 24, 2009 English 413H

2. �300� background Historian Herodotus �The Histories�: Herodotus chose which versions of stories to keep based on what was a better story and more politically expedient Therefore, much controversy

3. �300� graphic novel Differences: No Spartan went into battle bare chested Known for armor and chest plates Spartans were not heroes Kept slaves Interestingly, strange male/female equality Similarities: Not all Spartans were warriors Betrayed by Ephialtes �Tonight we dine in hell�

4. �Age of Bronze� series Primary Sources: Homer�s Iliad Major/minor works from Greece & Rome Medieval European sources Shakespeare�s Troilus and Cressida Art from: Mycenae Knossos Pylos Troy

5. Hercules (Marvel Comics) Background Abilities �Incredible Hercules� vs. �Hercules� Zeus, Apollo, Ares, Hera, Pluto, Athena, and Poseidon all make appearances Zeus favors Hercules �Incredible Hercules� issue #129 Descent into Underworld to find missing Zeus Set in casino scene Hades as �Lord of the Dead�

6. Zeus (Marvel Comics) Background Siblings: Demeter, Hera, Poseidon, Pluto & Vesta Hera became his Queen Weapon: lightning bolt forged from the flames of Olympus by Hephaestus was his usual weapon of choice

7. Other References in Pop Culture Theodore Roosevelt depicted as infant Hercules grappling with the Standard Oil Company

8. �300� film Similar to book More male/female/family interaction in order to gain more crowd Otherwise, very similar

9. Literature T.S. Eliot �Gerontion�: I was neither at the hot gatesNor fought in the warm rainNor knee deep in the salt marsh, heaving a cutlass,Bitten by flies, fought. Sylvia Plath �Letter in November�: O love, O celibate.Nobody but meWalks the waist high wet.The irreplaceableGolds bleed and deepen, the mouths of Thermopyla. Lord Byron �Don Juan� canto iii: Earth! render back from out thy breastA remnant of our Spartan dead!Of the three hundred grant but three,To make a new Thermopylae!

10. Literature Cont�d A.E. Housman �The Oracles�: The King with half the East at heel is marched from land of morning;Their fighters drink the rivers up, their shafts benight the air,And he that stands will die for nought, and home there�s no returning.The Spartans on the sea-wet rock sat down and combed their hair. Emily Dickinson �Go Tell It � What a Message�: �Go tell it� � What a Message �To whom � is specified �Not murmur � not endearment �But simply � we � obeyed �Obeyed � a Lure � a Longing?Oh Nature � none of this �To Law � said sweet ThermopylaeI give my dying Kiss �

11. Movies �The Muse� �Sirens� �Clash of the Titans� �Troy� �Alexander�

12. In Conclusion� �Despite the introduction of Christianity and subsequent decline of early Roman religion, Roman mythology stayed intact and continues to impact modern Western society today. Many people find these ancient myths fascinating and they are often taught in schools. Much of Western society�s literature has felt the impact of Roman mythology and tells the stories of its gods and goddesses. Mythical names and creatures are often used for businesses or sports teams to symbolize their strength or power. The Roman myths that were first told many centuries ago can still be found in modern society in different ways. Movies, stories, comic book heroes and business logos show the continued impact of Roman mythology on Western civilization.� (The Impact of Roman Mythology)

13. Works Cited "300 Spartans - Frank Miller's 300 Historical Accuracy - Spartan Warriors of History." 300 Movie Quotes - Quotable Lines from the Movie 300 - Quotations. 15 July 2009 <http://www.300quotes.com/spartans/>. Age of Bronze Comics Homepage - The Story of the Trojan War ." Age of Bronze Comics Homepage - The Story of the Trojan War . 15 July 2009 <http://age-of-bronze.com/aob/index.shtml>. "Hercules (Marvel Comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 16 July 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(Marvel_Comics)>. Miller, Frank, and Lynn Varley. 300. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse, 1999. "The Impact of Roman Mythology." Articles, Blogs and Information on Mythology. 22 July 2009 <http://www.myths-and- mythology.com/articles/mythology-impact/roman-impact.php>. "Zeus (Marvel Comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 18 July 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus_(Marvel_Comics)>. "Zeus - Marvel Universe: The definitive online source for Marvel super hero bios.." Marvel: The Official Site | Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hulk, X-Men, Wolverine and all Marvel Comics, News, Movies and Video Games Marvel.com. 20 July 2009 <http://marvel.com/universe/Zeus>.