Exploring Homer’s Odyssey Through ‘Epic: The Musical’ – A Multimedia Mythology Experience / Activity Analysis

Core Skills Analysis

Literature & Mythology

• Explored the narrative structure and key themes of Homer’s Odyssey through a modern musical adaptation, deepening understanding of classical myths.
• Identified the character traits and journey of Odysseus by engaging with both the original poem and its contemporary musical retelling.
• Learned to interpret mythological stories by comparing original literary sources with creative reinterpretations in different media.
• Developed research skills focused on literary history and mythological contexts by investigating the Odyssey and its cultural significance.

Performing Arts & Media Studies

• Gained appreciation for musical theatre as a storytelling medium by listening to and singing along with the musical’s songs.
• Understood the production elements of a musical by researching the roles of the creator and voice artists behind 'Epic: The Musical.'
• Evaluated diverse fan art animations and video formats, enhancing media literacy and critical appreciation of visual storytelling styles.
• Observed how modern digital platforms enable relatively unknown creators to gain recognition and audience engagement.

Tips

To deepen Oli's understanding, encourage them to create their own artistic response to the Odyssey, such as writing original lyrics or composing a short musical piece inspired by a scene. Introduce discussions that compare traditional oral storytelling with modern multimedia adaptations to explore how narratives evolve with technology. Suggest exploring other retellings of classical myths in music, film, or literature to broaden their comparative analytical skills. Finally, a creative project where Oli animates a short sequence or designs fan art could integrate their appreciation of animation with literary analysis, fostering synthesis across disciplines.

Book Recommendations

• The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson: A modern and accessible translation of the epic poem that offers insight into Odysseus’s journey and ancient Greek culture.
• Epic: The Musical – Performance Script and Lyrics by Jorge Rivera-Herrans: The official script and lyric collection for the musical, providing detailed content for deeper study of the adaptation.
• The Power of Story: Myth and Narrative in Human Culture by Marilyn Cooper: An exploration of myth’s role in shaping cultural stories and contemporary storytelling methods.

Learning Standards

• GCSE English Literature: Understanding and interpreting classical texts and their adaptations (e.g., AO1, AO2)
• A Level English Literature: Critical analysis of narrative, themes, and cultural context in classical and adapted texts.
• GCSE Media Studies: Evaluation of media forms and production roles (Component 2).
• A Level Drama and Theatre Studies: Exploration of musical theatre performance, production elements, and contemporary creators.

Try This Next

• Write a mini-essay or blog post comparing key scenes from the original Odyssey with the musical interpretation.
• Create a storyboard or digital collage inspired by favorite songs or animations from the musical’s fan art community.

Growth Beyond Academics

This activity supports Oli’s growing curiosity and motivation by connecting classical literature with modern creative media. Their independent research and critical evaluation of art styles suggest developing confidence and a keen eye for detail. Additionally, recognizing the success of an emerging creator may inspire resilience and ambition in their own creative pursuits.