Greek Mythology has heavily influenced many modern Hollywood movies through both direct and indirect references. Direct references explicitly portray Greek gods and myths, like in "Hercules" which depicts the hero Heracles and his feats. Indirect references are more subtle, using inspirations from Greek stories without direct naming, such as "The Little Mermaid" which parallels Ariel's journey with Greek myths. Overall, Greek mythology continues to have a powerful impact on modern culture and film by incorporating elements into popular movies.

1. Greek Mythology inGreek Mythology in
Modern MoviesModern Movies

2. ObjectiveObjective
Over the last few decades, many Hollywood movies have relied Over the last few decades, many Hollywood movies have relied
heavily on the influence of Greek mythology. These myths have made heavily on the influence of Greek mythology. These myths have made
an impact on modern culture and continue to have a powerful an impact on modern culture and continue to have a powerful
impact in Hollywood today. The following presentation impact in Hollywood today. The following presentation
demonstrates how Greek mythology is still incorporated into modern demonstrates how Greek mythology is still incorporated into modern
movies through direct and indirect relationships.movies through direct and indirect relationships.

3. Direct and Indirect RelationshipsDirect and Indirect Relationships
Direct Relationships: The examples of “Hercules” and “Clash of the Direct Relationships: The examples of “Hercules” and “Clash of the
Titans” portray the Greek Gods as themselves, incorporating the Titans” portray the Greek Gods as themselves, incorporating the
Gods’ real names and prominent characteristics into the plots. Gods’ real names and prominent characteristics into the plots.
Indirect Relationships: The examples of the “Little Mermaid” and Indirect Relationships: The examples of the “Little Mermaid” and
“The Lion King” create their characters relying on Greek influence “The Lion King” create their characters relying on Greek influence
but don’t necessarily make references to Greek mythology.but don’t necessarily make references to Greek mythology.

4. Direct Relationships ­ HerculesDirect Relationships ­ Hercules
““Hercules” (1997): Ron Clements and John MuskerHercules” (1997): Ron Clements and John Musker
Plot: The son of Zeus, Hercules, is turned into half­god and half­Plot: The son of Zeus, Hercules, is turned into half­god and half­
mortal by Hades, God of the Underworld, who plans to overthrow mortal by Hades, God of the Underworld, who plans to overthrow
Zeus. Hercules is raised as a human on Earth, but he retains his Zeus. Hercules is raised as a human on Earth, but he retains his
God­like strength; however, when he discovers his immortal God­like strength; however, when he discovers his immortal
heritage, Zeus tells Hercules that in order to return to Mount heritage, Zeus tells Hercules that in order to return to Mount
Olympus he must become a true hero. Hercules becomes this true Olympus he must become a true hero. Hercules becomes this true
hero with the help of his friend Pegasus and his personal trainer, hero with the help of his friend Pegasus and his personal trainer,
Phil, the satyr. Hercules battles monsters, Hades, and the Titans, Phil, the satyr. Hercules battles monsters, Hades, and the Titans,
but he sacrifices himself to rescue his one true love, Meg.but he sacrifices himself to rescue his one true love, Meg.

5. Direct Relationships ­ HerculesDirect Relationships ­ Hercules
Greek Mythology: “Hercules” is based on the Greek hero, Heracles, who is known as the Greek Mythology: “Hercules” is based on the Greek hero, Heracles, who is known as the
strongest of mortals and the only man born of a mortal woman that became a God upon strongest of mortals and the only man born of a mortal woman that became a God upon
his death. Heracles was known as a “muscle bound buffoon,” with his pride easily his death. Heracles was known as a “muscle bound buffoon,” with his pride easily
offended. He wasn’t very intelligent and got into trouble frequently since he was an offended. He wasn’t very intelligent and got into trouble frequently since he was an
emotional man, which are prominent characteristics of Hercules. Heracles was his emotional man, which are prominent characteristics of Hercules. Heracles was his
harshest critic, and during his self­inflicted punishments, he learned patience, fortitude, harshest critic, and during his self­inflicted punishments, he learned patience, fortitude,
and endurance that are all considered heroic qualities just as his strength. Terrible things and endurance that are all considered heroic qualities just as his strength. Terrible things
happen to Heracles because of Hera's hatred, a hatred that he was not responsible for, happen to Heracles because of Hera's hatred, a hatred that he was not responsible for,
which is similar to the hatred of Hercules by Hades in the movie.which is similar to the hatred of Hercules by Hades in the movie.

6. Direct Relationships ­ Clash of the TitansDirect Relationships ­ Clash of the Titans
““Clash of the Titans” (2010): Louis LeterrierClash of the Titans” (2010): Louis Leterrier
Plot: Princess Andromeda, daughter of King Cepheus, gained a Plot: Princess Andromeda, daughter of King Cepheus, gained a
victory against the Gods, but the vengeful God of the victory against the Gods, but the vengeful God of the
Underworld, Hades, demands that Andromeda must be offered Underworld, Hades, demands that Andromeda must be offered
as a sacrifice. Otherwise, he will unleash the Kraken against as a sacrifice. Otherwise, he will unleash the Kraken against
Argos. A desperate King Cepheus asks Perseus, a demi­god, to Argos. A desperate King Cepheus asks Perseus, a demi­god, to
find a way to defeat the Kraken. Perseus accepts the challenge find a way to defeat the Kraken. Perseus accepts the challenge
primarily because Hades was responsible for his family's death. primarily because Hades was responsible for his family's death.
He discovers that the way to kill the Kraken is by getting the He discovers that the way to kill the Kraken is by getting the
head of the Gorgon Medusa.head of the Gorgon Medusa.

7. Greek Mythology: “Clash of the Titans” is based on the story of Perseus. Perseus Greek Mythology: “Clash of the Titans” is based on the story of Perseus. Perseus
was the son of Zeus and Danae. Danae's father, King Acrisius, sent Danae and was the son of Zeus and Danae. Danae's father, King Acrisius, sent Danae and
her son adrift on the sea because of a prophecy that Perseus would kill him. The her son adrift on the sea because of a prophecy that Perseus would kill him. The
two were taken in by Polydectes, the king of Seriphus. Polydectes later fell in love two were taken in by Polydectes, the king of Seriphus. Polydectes later fell in love
with Danae, but was unable to force his attentions on her because Perseus had with Danae, but was unable to force his attentions on her because Perseus had
grown to be her protector. To get rid of Perseus, Polydectes sent him on a quest to grown to be her protector. To get rid of Perseus, Polydectes sent him on a quest to
bring back the head of the Gorgon Medusa, a snake­haired maiden who turned all bring back the head of the Gorgon Medusa, a snake­haired maiden who turned all
who saw her into stone, which was portrayed in the “Clash of the Titans”. He got who saw her into stone, which was portrayed in the “Clash of the Titans”. He got
her head and turned Polydectes into stone.her head and turned Polydectes into stone.
Direct Relationships ­ Clash of the TitansDirect Relationships ­ Clash of the Titans

8. Indirect Relationships ­ The Little MermaidIndirect Relationships ­ The Little Mermaid
““The Little Mermaid” (1989): Ron Clements and John The Little Mermaid” (1989): Ron Clements and John
MuskerMusker
Plot: Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton, is Plot: Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton, is
dissatisfied with her life in the sea. She yearns to be dissatisfied with her life in the sea. She yearns to be
with the humans above the surface and is often caught in with the humans above the surface and is often caught in
arguments with her father over the humans, whom are arguments with her father over the humans, whom are
also known as the "barbaric fish­eaters". Ariel falls in also known as the "barbaric fish­eaters". Ariel falls in
love with Prince Eric, a human. She meets with Ursula, love with Prince Eric, a human. She meets with Ursula,
the Sea Witch, to strike a deal so she can be with Eric, the Sea Witch, to strike a deal so she can be with Eric,
but Ursula tries to meddle in Ariel’s love life. In the but Ursula tries to meddle in Ariel’s love life. In the
end, Ariel and Eric find their happy ending together.end, Ariel and Eric find their happy ending together.

9. Indirect Relationships ­ The Little MermaidIndirect Relationships ­ The Little Mermaid
Greek Mythology: In “The Little Mermaid”, Ursula is like the Greek Goddess Greek Mythology: In “The Little Mermaid”, Ursula is like the Greek Goddess
Medusa because Medusa is portrayed as the evil enemy in many Greek myths. Medusa because Medusa is portrayed as the evil enemy in many Greek myths.
Medusa is known for having snakes as her hair that turn people into stone. In Medusa is known for having snakes as her hair that turn people into stone. In
the Little Mermaid, Ursula is represented as an octopus, with eight tentacles the Little Mermaid, Ursula is represented as an octopus, with eight tentacles
that are snake­like. Among other similarities, King Triton is the God of the that are snake­like. Among other similarities, King Triton is the God of the
Sea in the Little Mermaid, and Poseidon is the God of the Sea in Greek Sea in the Little Mermaid, and Poseidon is the God of the Sea in Greek
mythology. Both use a trident as their weapon of choice, and they have the mythology. Both use a trident as their weapon of choice, and they have the
similar physical characteristics, such as their white beard.similar physical characteristics, such as their white beard.

10. Indirect Relationships ­ The Lion KingIndirect Relationships ­ The Lion King
““The Lion King” (1994): Roger Allers and Rob MinkoffThe Lion King” (1994): Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Plot: A young lion prince, Simba, is born in Africa, thus making his Plot: A young lion prince, Simba, is born in Africa, thus making his
uncle, Scar, the second in line to the throne. Scar plots with his uncle, Scar, the second in line to the throne. Scar plots with his
“friends”, the hyenas, to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba, so he “friends”, the hyenas, to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba, so he
can finally make himself King. Mufasa is killed. Simba is now led can finally make himself King. Mufasa is killed. Simba is now led
to believe that he was to blame for his father’s death by Scar, and to believe that he was to blame for his father’s death by Scar, and
he flees the Kingdom in shame. Scar becomes the new King of he flees the Kingdom in shame. Scar becomes the new King of
Pride Rock. After years of exile, Simba is persuaded to return home Pride Rock. After years of exile, Simba is persuaded to return home
to overthrow Scar and claim the kingdom as his own to complete to overthrow Scar and claim the kingdom as his own to complete
the "Circle of Life".the "Circle of Life".

11. Indirect Relationships ­ The Lion KingIndirect Relationships ­ The Lion King
Greek Mythology: “The Lion King” shows the succession of the family throne Greek Mythology: “The Lion King” shows the succession of the family throne
from father to son. When Mufasa dies, Simba comes back to rule over the from father to son. When Mufasa dies, Simba comes back to rule over the
Kingdom just like his father. The Greek Gods also exhibit such a family Kingdom just like his father. The Greek Gods also exhibit such a family
succession in a few myths. For example, when Cronus is killed by his son, succession in a few myths. For example, when Cronus is killed by his son,
Zeus, Zeus becomes the King of the Olympians, effectively taking over Cronus’ Zeus, Zeus becomes the King of the Olympians, effectively taking over Cronus’
position. Though both, Mufasa and Cronus, have different causes of death, position. Though both, Mufasa and Cronus, have different causes of death,
they were both succeeded by their sons, Simba and Zeus, serving as the new they were both succeeded by their sons, Simba and Zeus, serving as the new
Kings in their respectful Kingdoms.Kings in their respectful Kingdoms.

12. ClosingClosing
As portrayed in the direct and indirect relationships in this presentation, As portrayed in the direct and indirect relationships in this presentation,
Greek mythology has a strong influence in many modern movies. The Greek mythology has a strong influence in many modern movies. The
Greek Gods and their stories were adventurous and sometimes outrageous, Greek Gods and their stories were adventurous and sometimes outrageous,
but the myths always related back to an aspect of Greek life that but the myths always related back to an aspect of Greek life that
explained more about the symbols and the culture. What other ideas can explained more about the symbols and the culture. What other ideas can
you think of in which Greek mythology relates to our present day lives?you think of in which Greek mythology relates to our present day lives?

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