Percy Jackson and the Story of Perseus in Greek Mythology are both very well known. But taking a closer look they are more than a movie and a greek legend. They are stories that draw off each other and change the story to fit the time. For Percy it’s Modernized, but for Perseus it was in the Greek era. In this essay you will learn that Percy Jackson draws on the original legend of Perseus by generally keeping the plot the same and the characters. Although, the characters are a bit more modernized to be easier to connect to. It changes the legend in adding on a couple of other greek legends to add depth. This is shown through the plot modernization that takes place in real places, the Characters that are modernized but are the same on the inside, …show more content…
In both the stories the main characters of Percy and Perseus really start to show their true colors on their quest. Both characters are Prodigies in there Hero types and act the same. One is just modernized as a teen from New York who travels the U.S with his friends. On the other hand, Perseus is a courageous son of Zeus who goes on a quest along to fight Medusa. For Percy he shows his true Prodigy Archetype when he gets to Camp Half-Blood. There, he was able to reveal his true ability to control water and use it in combat and healing (Percy Camp Half-Blood). For Perseus he know right from the start he is a prodigy of something great and uses his power to great things. “In his humble hut Perseus grew into a fine valiant youth, proud of being the son of Zeus and the Beautiful Danae.” (Perseus 6) Also, in both stories not only were Percy and Perseus Prodigy’s, but Perfect hero’s as well. Both heros grow up in a less than stellar place but still become perfect heros and go onto do there remarkable quest’s. For Percy, he grew up with Gabe Ugliano in his small New York apartment, where Gabe routinely miss treated him and his Mother. Which actually is the same in Perseus. Perseus grew up on a small Island in a humble hut, but after Perseus and his Mother got away from the King he ended up coming back. “The King pursued her and would have carried her off by force if Perseus had not protected her.” (Perseus 6) The resemblance is extremely close and that resemblance help the characters later on to be better people and become there “Perfect Hero” Archetype. In these stories the Hero theme is the same but that’s about the only theme that can be compared in these two very differently themed
Odysseus and Percy both similarly encountered the Lotus Eaters while on a quest and must rescue their friends, but they meet them in different places and save their friends differently. Both heroes had saved their friends from the Lotus, but their saving methods differed from the others. Many heroes have similarities but they are also different from one another even in their similarities.
Perseus an important character in Greek mythology because he shows many traits valued by Greek culture.What is exactly a hero in ancient Greek mythology and culture, and what role does fate play in myths? A hero is one extraordinary individual who represents the values greatly admired and sought after in ancient Greek society. Perseus showed the epic traits of ;family,perseverance,and couragesness. These were all very valued in ancient Greek culture. I will be; summarizing Perseus' story, how he demonstrates the values of ancient Greek society, and explaining his cultural significance and how fate plays a big role.
My original thought when comparing Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief the movie and Classical mythology was that there would be many more references to the myth of Perceus than any other myth throughout the movie in its entirety. That’s where I was wrong. After watching the movie again and researching the different hero myths my opinion has changed. My new thoughts are that the movie is not influenced by the myth of Perceus any more than other hero myths. The movie ties together many different heroes’ stories and mixes them together to make a wonderful story about a young boy. The movie was based on a book series written by Rick Riordan.
The hero's journey is a process or cycle where the hero starts and ends in a place they are familiar with, but the middle of the actual journey it set in an unfamiliar place. The hero's journey was studied and made by Joseph Campbell. He studied myths and published his own book, on the topic of the hero's journey and how other stories follow it, named Hero with a Thousand Faces. Many books are known to follow the hero's journey including Homer's The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a book about a man named Odysseus who is on his way home from the Trojan war when his ship and story takes a different course and he spends the book trying to get home while coming across different creatures/beings that occupy
Tales, Creatures and mythical adventures tells the story of Percy Jackson and Odysseus. Their both known as courageous heroes.In their journeys they both share motivation, adventures and assistance. However they have different roles in their characters. In there perspective of their adventures Percy and Odyssey had a motivation to start a mission and they had similar barriers throughout their experience.
Homer wrote The Odyssey centuries ago at the 8th Century BCE, yet many themes found are like modern literature. An example of literature of today's time is J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry Potter goes through difficult tasks to defeat the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Odysseus is sailing from the battle of Troy back to his home, Ithaca. Poseidon, the God of the sea, curses Odysseus for being too arrogant to teach a lesson about being humble. In both books, Harry Potter and Odysseus go through a series of events for the greater good of society. Harry Potter and Odysseus face similar journeys when going to the magical world, facing trials, and their return to the normal world.
Within the myth of Perseus, the plot generally follows the structure of the archetypal hero’s journey. These aspects can be clearly identified throughout the lifetime of Perseus.
Heroic, Strong, Brave, Confident. A hero is these things and many more. Two heroes who are very alike are Odysseus from the Odyssey and Hercules from the Disney movie Hercules. Not only did they both battle fearsome monsters, they were both working against an angered Greek god and shared many common characteristics. Odysseus and Hercules may have been uncannily alike but in the beginning they had their differences in motive. Although towards the end their purpose became more alike than ever.
Heroes are those who have gone above what the average person would do to ensure the welfare of others. Natural disasters, terrorism, poverty, and war are some of the many things that destroy and end people’s lives. Throughout history, many people have made a difference. However, as history progresses, what we consider to be socially normal changes along with our definition of a hero. In Ancient Greece, Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus were considered heroes, but today only Theseus and Perseus would be considered heroes because Hercules would be shunned by society.
How can we modernize a story to make it more relatable and understanding to a new generation of learners? The book, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief based on the original,“The Legend of Perseus,” is taken and molded into a new take on ancient greek mythology. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief draws on and adds to the original characters, uses similarities and creates differences to rejuvenate the old story.
Achilles and Odysseus are quite different in the way they view combat and take down their enemies. Achilles seems to rely on his physical prowess, often charging in headfirst into battle using surprise and brute force to overpower his opponent whereas Odysseus has a tendency to use his intelligence and cunning nature in both the battlefield and politics as he stealthily plans the demise of his unsuspecting opponent. “Gnashing his teeth with rage, Achilles leaped from his chariot, made for his enemy, and lunged out at him with his sword” (341). Even when faced with a seemingly invincible assailant, Achilles uses his anger and sheer power to overtake Cycnus and impulsively attacks his unblemished skin in the hopes to end his life. It is Achilles’ agile and finesse in battle that has led to many victories for him. Even though the reasoning for his actions are more simplistic and even quite animalistic in some scenarios, it is this godlike strength and vicious temper that makes him the physical embodiment of a vengeful hero and in the Greeks stories he possesses all of the physical traits a hero should exemplify. “For now Odysseus began to boil with envy and thought up a despicable plan to end his rival” (342). Odysseus is quick and decisive in his actions but he relies on his sly nature to defeat and overwhelm his opponent in battle. Odysseus is valued for his wisdom and fair counsel, he has experience in the real world and this shows in the way he manipulates and even plays
In Greek mythology, it is believed that the Greek gods and goddesses had interactions with the mortals, thus creating demigods. Demigods are offsprings of both a god and a mortal that is given partial or lesser divine status. Perseus was one of them, the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and Danaë, daughter of King Acrisius. From the beginning of his birth, Perseus came across and conquered many obstacles, such as slaying the Gorgon Medusa and rescuing Princess Andromeda from a sea monster. Nonetheless, Perseus died with a favorable ending. Because of his dauntless and noble actions, he was considered a great hero among the Greeks.
The novel is an extremely immersive experience owing to the protagonist - Percy Jackson - regularly breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the readers. It builds up suspense by foreshadowing the events to come, giving the readers a taste of the challenges awaiting Percy in the pages ahead. Percy is portrayed as the modern-day equivalent of classical heroes. Like the past heroes, Percy is treated differently by those around him, and has trouble fitting in with them. An absent father and a lack of knowledge of his own past help draw further parallels with the classical 'hero' figure. The significant people in Percy's life appear to know something about Percy that he doesn’t know and seek to protect him. Percy, however, is a stubborn
We all think of an ancient Greek hero as a robust, brave, young hero with a bulging chest and washboard abs. He has beautiful hair and a large menacing sword. He stands victorious after slaying a mighty beast, looking very handsome. He has a confident smile on his face because he knows that he is best. The Gods adore him, and every mortal praises him for his great deeds. But although Greek heroes may appear to be the best of the best, they might not be as noble as people think. Likewise, by today’s standards, their characteristics might not be appreciated as much as before. In ancient Greece, Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus would have been considered heroic, but only Theseus and Perseus would be deemed heroic in modern day.
Notwithstanding, the fact Perseus severed Gorgon Medusa's head, Theseus is braver than Perseus as he is more courageous and intelligent, consequently leading him to be a better role model for adolescents.