According to Wikipedia, myth is “a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society.” Britannica defines it as a “symbolic narrative, usually of unknown origin and at least partly traditional, that ostensibly relates actual events and that is especially associated with religious belief.”

Myths are usually accounts of gods or superhuman beings in extraordinary events or circumstances that are separate from ordinary human experience. Myths are closely linked to religion or spirituality and are often endorsed by secular and religious authorities.

Myths are stories that are completely fictional, although some may have factual origins. Usually based on tradition, these sacred tales are not just mere stories; they often explain man’s experience and answer perennial questions about the life and the world we live in.

The themes found in myths are reflective of the mankind’s universal concerns. They usually touch on  universal subjects like birth, death, the origin of man, the afterlife, and many others elements of human existence. Myths taps into the collective wisdom of man, thus serving a purpose for both ancient and modern cultures.

Myths have captivated the human imagination since time immemorial. But its draw goes beyond the fanciful adventures and conquests. For ancient societies, it was a way for making sense of the natural world and man’s place in the grand cosmos. Through generations, myths have inspired and illuminated man and society, illustrating moral principles and values that are still relevant up to this day.

But how did myths started? James Bonnet of Writers Store explains it this way: “it began with a real or imagined incident or event that was worth repeating, something so intriguing that we were compelled to repeat it. It passed along by word of mouth, from person to person and from generation to generation until it had been told and retold millions of times and existed in a hundred versions around the world.”

According to Neil Gainman, myths, like living things, evolve overtime and across mediums. For example, the heroic exploits of Hercules and the epic battles of the Norse god Thor have been told and retold through the ages and continues to be repeated in our modern world in the realms of entertainment, cultural celebrations, and philosophical discussions.

Today, mythology’s influence remains as relevant as ever. Because they stir our imaginations and throw light on aspects of the human condition, myths get reinvented and reimagined for new audiences. As societies evolve, myths also evolved and continued to influence the world of art, literature, cinema, etc.

Many mythological themes have persisted across cultures and time, and modern-day tales are replete with them. For example, the archetypal theme of transformative journeys is rendered in multiple ways and in various mediums in the modern world. Other themes, like the struggle between good and evil, form the groundwork of modern stories adapted in every medium imaginable today.

Contemporary storytellers reinterpret mythic themes and adapt them specifically to the time. They may change the specifics, but at its core are the same themes that have interested and inspired humanity across time. Heroes fighting injustice and dark forces have kept ancient and modern audiences captivated, just as the struggle of flawed beings overcoming their human failings.

Over the past decade, there have been an increase of contemporary versions of popular myths in the entertainment industry. These form of entertainment explore the various themes and characters of mythology and makes them accessible and appealing to their modern audiences.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan are examples. Percy Jackson, being half-god, half-human, is caught in the world of Greek gods and mortals. On the other hand, Sadie and Carter Kane, in finding out they are powerful Egyptian magicians, battles with Egyptian gods. Various themes appear, like the fight between good and evil, identity/self-realization, and friendship/family.

There are numerous movies that are inspired by ancient myths. Although adapted from myths, these stories bend and shape themselves around the storyteller and his/her audience. Here are some examples:

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail : inspired by the legendary King Arthur
2. The Green Knight: inspired by the chivalric romance of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
3. Song of the Sea: inspired by Celtic mythology
4. The Ritual: inspired by Norse mythology
5. The Golem: inspired by Jewish folklore

In the interconnectedness of the modern world, grand mythologies from ancient civilizations have evolved into new hybrid stories. In Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, various deities and supernatural figures of mythological backgrounds vie for power in an American landscape. These ancestral myths that once were specific to a region are now being mixed together. This evolution can potentially spark new stories, which can propel greater understanding amidst our diverseness.

Sources:

Connolly, Ciaran. “Ancients Myths , Modern Worlds: The Echoes of Mythology in Today’s Culture. Last modified May 18, 2024. https://medium.com/@ciaranpconnolly/ancient-myths-modern-worlds-the-echoes-of-mythology-in-todays-culture-58b68d5494bd.

Shukla, Girish. “How Mythology and Folklore Shape Modern Storytelling.” Last modified June 11, 2024. https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/books/features/how-mythology-and-folklore-shape-modern-storytelling-article-110905765.

Through Eternity Tours. “Greek Mythology and Its Influence on Modern-Day Greece. Accessed August 11, 2024.  https://www.througheternity.com/en/blog/history/Greek-Mythology-and-Its-Influence-On-Modern-Day-Greece.html.