Brainstorming Topics: What to Choose

As someone who reads fairly regularly, it is definitely difficult to decide try to narrow down what topics I want to conduct. I think one area would be Scottish folklore and myth, especially after spending a month there. There's also Greek/Roman mythology and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I think it would be interesting to do something a little more modern, like Alice in Wonderland or the Land of Oz.

So, in order of mention:

1. Scottish mythology

Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's assumed that it was named after King Arthur, although there's no clear source for it. (Source: Wikipedia) 

I will say, right off the bat I don't know a ton about Scottish mythology, although like everyone else I know about some of the creatures of legend (ex: the Kelpies and the Loch Ness monster). Scotland also plays a large part in Arthurian legend (I got to climb Arthur's Seat while I was there, which is supposedly named after the king). I want to keep my topic broad and not narrow myself too much, but for now I'll probably stick with mythological creatures, structures, and Arthurian legend, although I may expand later on.

2. Greek/Roman Mythology

Disney's portrayal of the story of Hercules and the rest of the gods is in no way accurate. We watched it in my Latin class in high school to ridicule it. (Source: Disney Wikipedia)

Greek/Roman mythology is just interesting in general. A lot of words used in the English language come derived from sources in Greek/Roman mythology (such as narcissism from Narcissus). I took Latin in high school and also went through a pretty big Greek mythology phase as a kid, so I think it would be fun to revisit. I think I'll focus more on stories about the gods themselves, rather than on demigods or mortals. The gods are more fun to rewrite, especially since, when you consider that like 90% of the problems in Greek mythology were caused by Zeus being unable to NOT cheat on his wife.

3. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

(Source: Reddit)

So the idea of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is really interesting. It has its roots in the New Testament of the Bible, but in a way it's expanded into its own idea/mythology. The general consensus is that the four riders are Famine, Pestilence (Disease), War, and Death. They've been explored in some book series (which I read and thoroughly enjoyed) and TV shows (any Supernatural fans out there?), but they don't always get as much attention as other mythology and folklore. I think it'd be fun to expand upon that, and write/rewrite some stories from the view of the Four Horsemen.

4. Modern Day Stories*

The original poster for the musical Wicked (Source: Bananaroad.com)

After pondering between Alice in Wonderland and the Land of Oz, I think I'll be going with the latter. Something about Oz in its original format is a little more appealing, and while there are great versions/retellings of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, I think I like the idea of going through Oz a little more. There's also a lot more original source for it, since Baum wrote a total of 14 books originally, although it's been expanded upon a lot both during his life and after he passed. There's also the spinoffs, mainly Wicked, both the book and musical. I think this gives plenty of source.

*The original Oz series are now public domain, so it's free to read online versions of them from anywhere; I just linked to one site.

Week 3: Why You Shouldn't Be Too Fond of Yourself

A day that was much like any other day (sunny with mild weather and temperature) found two wood nymphs relaxing by a pond, catching up on the latest gossip (after all, with the Greek gods there is always much to gossip about). 

            One said to the other, “Did you hear about what happened to Narcissus last year?”

            “No,” was the response, “last I heard anything to do with him was that poor Echo pined for him and faded away, but that over a year ago. I knew her once, a long time ago. Nice girl. Shame she made Hera angry.”

            “Well you’ll find this interesting,” said the first, a fir wood nymph. “So you know how Narcissus basically rejects everyone who likes him? Like, no matter if they’re human, nymph, demigod, whatever, he just turns them away?”

            “Everyone knows that,” replied the other, whose home was an olive tree. “He’s always been so full of himself, thinking he’s all that. He’s just good looking. That’s not uncommon at all in mythology.”

            “Well I guess he made the wrong person mad,” said the fir nymph. “Someone cursed him! Said that he should fall in love with himself and fail to be loved back, and Nemesis heard him.”

            The olive nymph let out a snort. “The same Nemesis who hurts anyone who seems to be too lucky? Sure she wasn’t just eavesdropping? That goddess does love her gossip, just like the rest.”

            “Hey, I’m just telling you what I heard. I’ll stop if you don’t want to hear it.”

            “Alright, I’m sorry, I’ll be quiet. What happened after Nemesis got involved?”

            “Well, she did what was asked of her. The next time Narcissus was out hunting, when he went to drink from a pond he saw his reflection and fell in love with himself, and – “

            “Hold up, you expect me to believe that?” cried the olive wood nymph. “I know Narcissus went back for seconds of looks instead of getting in line when they were handing out intelligence, but surely even he wasn’t that dumb. I mean, animals can recognize that their reflection isn’t real!”

            The fir wood nymph held up her hands defensively. “I swear it’s true! My cousin’s boyfriend’s sister’s aunt saw him! He was sitting by the pond, weeping and reaching down to touch the surface, moaning at the fact that he couldn’t caress his reflection’s face. I swear it actually happened.”

            The olive wood nymph let out a snort. “Whatever you say. Did he ever manage to drag himself away from his own reflection?”

            The fir nymph shook her head. “He just stayed there. Supposedly he knew that it was his reflection, and that he was being stupid, but he still stayed there and just looked at himself. Just wasted away. Someone told me Echo was there, watching it all happen. Not that she could do anything to help him. He finally died after awhile. Kind of a sad way to go, if you ask me. Longing so much for what you can’t have.”

            The olive nymph let out another snort. “This is ancient Greece. People die in tragic ways all the time. Trust me, that’s nothing new.”

            “Yeah, but I didn’t tell you the best part,” said the fir nymph. “His sisters went to bury his body, but they didn’t find it! They found a flower instead next to the pond, white with a yellow center, and it kept bobbing towards the water as if it was trying to look into it. Supposedly Echo stayed with him until the end too.” She sighed. “I know Greek mythology always has tragic endings, but this one really sucks, if you ask me.”

            The olive wood nymph rolled her eyes again, and moved to stretch her arms. As she did, something by the edge of the pond caught her eye. There was a white flower, with a yellow center. As she watched, the flower kept nodding down at the top of the water, as if the wind was pushing it down. But the olive nymph realized that all the other plants were still, that there was no wind. The flower was the only plant in sight that was moving. 

            The olive wood nymph turned back to her companion, and saw that the fir nymph saw the flower as well. With a few muttered words to each other, they jumped up and moved quickly back down the path towards their trees, with only the echo of their words remaining in the clearing with the pond and the flower.

(Source: Ceil on DeviantArt)

Author’s note: This version of the story of Narcissus comes from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Like a lot of Greek myths, this one ends in tragedy. There’s not really a happy ending for anyone involved. Echo, who was cursed by Hera to repeat the last words someone spoke to her, was reported to have faded away after she was rejected by Narcissus, leaving only her voice behind. Narcissus (who was the subject of a prophecy that he would only be in danger if he were to find himself) was so arrogant in rejecting everyone that he attracted the attention of Nemesis (the Greek goddess of revenge who was known to go after those she felt had too high an opinion of themselves).

As should be evidenced, Narcissus is the root of the word ‘narcissism,’ a personality disorder where someone feels they are the best, and everyone who disagrees with them is their enemy. In other words, someone who is so in love with themselves that they disregard all others. Additionally, this story provides an explanation for the existence of two things: the echo, and the Narcissus flower (which really does exist).

I liked the idea of the story being told as gossip. The ending where the nymphs realize they’re by a pond with an oddly moving flower didn’t occur to me until I was almost done. But I like where the story ended up; it makes the tale a little somber, and gives it a ghostly feel that I think is befitting.

Week 3, Reading B: Ovid's Metamorphoses, Narcissus

As often happens with Greek/Roman myths, the main character/occurrence in the story makes its mark in the English language by becoming the root of a common word. Here, we see why Narcissus (this version of the myth is from Ovid's Metamorphoses) is the root for the word narcissism, and all the other words that derive from that.

• This version is a lot more poetic than the story of Phaethon I read yesterday, it seems.
• Definitely this version was meant to be read out loud, not read from paper.
• Lots of poetic imagery, as usual.
• It's weird because Narcissus is aware that he's in love with his own reflection, but he doesn't care.
• In my initial reading, my thought was "Narcissus isn't that bright, to fall in love with his own reflection. After all, one feature of cognitive development in children is when they recognize that what's in the mirror is a reflection."
• But again, he does know what's happening, he just doesn't care.
• Also shows how in mythology, prophecies always come to pass, no matter what is or isn't done to avoid them.
• In the end, a tragedy for both Narcissus and Echo (who really didn't do anything wrong except to make Juno angry, but I digress).
• Both of them end up dying/unhappy
• Side note, apparently the flower Narcissus turns into is known for growing by water and bowing so it looks like it's looking at its own reflection. Therefore, it's Narcissus forever looking at the reflection of one he can't have.
• Also, basically it was someone Narcissus rejected who started the whole thing (so again, the gods just kinda doing stuff at their whim).

So in this picture, we have Narcissus looking at his reflection, while Echo looks at him (Source: Greek Myths & Greek Mythology)

Week 3, Part A Reading: Ovid's Metamorphoses, Phaethon and the Sun

The story of Phaethon and the Sun (from Ovid's Metamorphoses) though often confused with the story of Icarus, is very different, although both have the themes of fathers and the folly of thinking too much of yourself. 

Notes: 

• Since the story does technically start right at the end of another, it has a smooth transition from one main character to another.
• There's lots of declaring, from feelings to truths and on.
• Also lots of description of things, such as the palace of the Sun.
• As with everything else in Greek/Roman mythology, all the nouns are personified (such as the Hours, Day, Month, etc.)
• Everything is all very poetic and about upholding honor and promises
• And of course, the danger of making a promise you can't keep (Apollo saying he'll do anything to show Phaethon that he is his father, then Phaethon making a suicidal request)
• And of course, the arrogance that just because of one's parentage, you can do the same things they did (or just the dangers of being arrogant in general).
• Again, more poetic descriptions and warnings, etc, etc.
• And of course, Dad gives into his son's demand because he can't break a promise

And so off Phaethon goes on the chariot that is drawn by the flaming horses. What could go wrong? (Source: Vanessa Leung)