Literatur |
Originally presented in rhythmic verse, mythology’s connection to poetry is particularly evident. Therefore, it is not surprising that poets continue to reference their ancestry in contemporary texts. The Canadian poet Anne Carson, for example, is fascinated with Heracles, a hero in Greek mythology who kills his family in an outburst of rage. A translator of ancient Greek texts, Carson employs poetry not only to retell the story of Heracles but also to reflect on sources and translations. The same is true for the Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong'o. In his latest book, he retells the story of the founding of the Gikuyu people with a feminist twist in verse. While we read both authors, we will also look at works by Jericho Brown, Carol Ann Duff, Joy Harjo and others, refresh our knowledge about classic mythology and non-European myths.
Please purchase and read:
- Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, The Perfect Nine. The New Press, 2020.
- Anne Carson, H of H. Playbook. New Directions, 2021.
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