The Meaning of Myth in Uncertain Times

This book reveals how sociocultural and political debates today are still heavily influenced by ancient mythology. It explores how ancient stories shape how our modern secular society thinks about the interconnected geopolitical, technological, and ecological issues we are facing, and our potential futures.

Evelien Bracke is an award-winning scholar of classical mythology and education. Through her research and public engagement, she is committed to widening access to the study of antiquity and demonstrating the enduring impact of ancient stories on modern life. She is currently affiliated with Ghent University, Belgium, and University College Dublin, Ireland.

Introduction: Heracles in the Congo; Part 1: The meaning of myth in the digital age; 1. Definitions of myth: On the sexuality of Achilles; 2. A megaphone for mythology: Europa on Twitter; 3. Zeus in the multiverse: Are all myths true?; 4. Gaia in dystopia: Doomsday thinking in nuclear times; 5. Is Sisyphus happy? Meme culture and the absurdity of existence; Part 2: Uncertain times; 6. (Self)destructive man: On the eternal Trojan War; 7. Witch hunt from Kamala to Medea; 8. The monstrous climate: The Minotaur in the political imagination; 9. Hephaestus in the uncanny valley: Artificial Intelligence and the limitations of being human; 10. To live is to suffer: On the complex actions of Oedipus; Part 3: Together through the labyrinth; 11. On clay, fire, and tears: Prometheus' visionary progress; 12. Medusa and the masses: The monster as manifest; 13. Activism in the shadow realm: On the barricade with Antigone and Ismene; 14. Weaving and waiting: Crisis management with Penelope; 15. Tentacles of kinship: Ode to an unlikely hero; Conclusion. A future for Pandora.