01-05-2026, 12:34 AM
I was reading some poetry reviews recently and I ran into the following snippet:
Can we please have just one more poem about Greek myths?
There are some modern poets who continue to draw “inspiration” from the Greek Myths, as though the 19th, 18th, 17th, 16th and 15th centuries never happened. They do, honestly, think they have something new and original to add, but Greek Mythology is truly the Hydra of modern poetry. All the pathos and vigor has long since been drained out of them. Allusions, let alone whole poems devoted to the myths, are as appealing, to me, as stale lettuce. - uncredited
What are your feeling on this? When you read another poem about Greek Mythology, do you roll your eyes and move on? Do you incorporate Greek mythos into your own writing?
Thanks
Can we please have just one more poem about Greek myths?
There are some modern poets who continue to draw “inspiration” from the Greek Myths, as though the 19th, 18th, 17th, 16th and 15th centuries never happened. They do, honestly, think they have something new and original to add, but Greek Mythology is truly the Hydra of modern poetry. All the pathos and vigor has long since been drained out of them. Allusions, let alone whole poems devoted to the myths, are as appealing, to me, as stale lettuce. - uncredited
What are your feeling on this? When you read another poem about Greek Mythology, do you roll your eyes and move on? Do you incorporate Greek mythos into your own writing?
Thanks