Of what value are the myths and legends of ancient polytheistic traditions to modern writers? This article, delivered originally as a talk, by Dr. Irvine, to the Bendigo Writers Council and the public, in the Skillshare building, St Andrews Ave. Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, in October 2014, has been reworked for this new release. If you are interested in transferring some of the age-old magic of mythic and legendary story-telling to your own stories, this article is for you!
This piece belongs to Hermes and Sesheta: (Unheralded) Gods of the New Media Revolution, Vol. 2 of The Collected Works of Ian Irvine (Hobson). (Nonfiction)
Go to: "The Gods Abandon Olympus for Hollywood: Why Myths and Legends Remain Useful to Writers", copyright Dr Ian Irvine, 2014 and 2022, all rights reserved.
*To view one of the original posters/posts/adverts for the talk (distributed, October, 2014).
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I have read or watched the movies of the great stories from the Greek, Egyptian, Norse and other cultures, and found them to be as you describe, guideposts for the future of their believers. And your description of those working closer to their daily existence rely on many gods to keep them from pain and suffering in their dangerous worlds.
Starting with comic books and simple characters like Superman and Batman, modern writers seem to be creating superheroes that pattern after the ancient gods, particularly when leaving the confines of Earth for other worlds.
Very well written for those who are interested more than me in the subject in such detail.
Ron