Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

       

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

2022 Reissued Cover Art by Victor Ngai (1)

 "The sea does not like to be restrained." - Rick Riordan (2)

Summary of Novel:

From Rick Riordan’s novel series Percy Jack & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, the book bridges the world of Greek mythology and the 21st century, birthing a new adaptation of such a legendary tale for a new generation. The novel introduces 12-year-old Percy Jackson, an awkward young boy who discovers he's the son of the Greek god Poseidon. He and his friends are taken to a place called "Camp Half-Blood," a safe haven for demigods. Conflict begins when Zeus, King of all gods, finds his "master lightning bolt" stolen; Percy is accused, placing him at the center of a divine conflict. Now, Percy must embark on a quest to clear his name, prevent potential war among the gods, and travel across the United States to catch the thief. The novel takes viewers on an adventure that blends ancient myths with modern settings, appealing to a new generation.

Mythical Elements in a Modern World:

With this collision of ancient Greek mythology and 21st-century worlds, Riordan cleverly reimagines many key elements, characters, and mythological locations. We are introduced to this right off the bat with the identity of Perseus. In Rick Riordan's novel, the tale of Perseus tells us he is the son of Poseidon rather than the son of Zeus, which is more faithful to the original Greek myths. The novel has a camp called Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods. Demi-gods are also called Half-Bloods. It functions as a modern-day sanctuary for heroes-in-training. Much like the training grounds of ancient Greek heroes, but with activities like capture-the-flag and rock climbing.

Uma Thurman in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Theif (2010) (5)

In the 2010 film adaptation, we get updated visuals on the adaptations of Mythological creatures, such as the Furies, who are portrayed not just as vengeful spirits but as modern-day teachers. Zeus sports his familiar character as an authoritative yet flawed ruler of the gods, concerned with maintaining his power and order. He wears golden armor with imprinted musculature. Riordan reveals Medusa is wearing a more modern appearance with sunglasses and a long leather trench coat, much like an aunt. These ancient figures pursue Percy in modern settings and behind a more contemporary identity.

Adapting Mythology for a Contemporary Audience

Riordan's novel doesn't just merge Greek mythology to the 21st century but adapts it for a present-day audience. We see this in the novel's protagonist, Percy, a relatable teenager with issues of identity, belonging, and self-discovery; Riordan sets up as one young reader can deeply resonate with. Reviews state that Riordan uses real-life conditions such as dyslexia and ADHD in Percy, conditions that often make young people or any people feel like outsiders. (3) These conditions are depicted not as disabilities but as signs of his demigod heritage. His brain is wired to read ancient Greek, and his heightened reflexes make him suited for battle, which frames his connection to the Greek world. 

Additionally, the novel's quickly-paced plot, humor, and action are tailored to the emotions of a generation raised on modern storytelling, including all those attributes. Ancient stories are made easier to consume and engaging to younger audiences; they're partially accurate for them. We see this in some specific mythological figures; for example, the novel portrays the gods as flawed and complex, reflecting a more modern understanding of the deities as beings with both supernatural powers and human-like weaknesses. Percy's story allows the themes of destiny, heroism, and family to be explored in a way that resonates with modern readers while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original myths. (4)  Check out some reviews here for more perspectives on the novel.

What Percy Jackson "Adds" to Representations of Greek Mythology

While it may not be for everyone, Percy Jackson offers a fresh and unique gateway into Greek mythology for a new generation. Setting the stories in a 21st-century world makes the myths feel relevant and relatable, reframing specific mythological figures and presenting them in a way that sparks new interest. Ultimately, the work of Riordan guarantees the interest and constant nature of Greek mythology in a rapidly changing world.

Worked Cited:

1. “Books.” Read Riordan, 2017 Read Riordan, www.readriordan.com/books/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

2. “The Lightning Thief: Rick Riordan.” Rick Riordan | Welcome to the Online World of Rick Riordan, 6 Oct. 2023, rickriordan.com/book/the-lightning-thief/. 
   

3. McGee, Jade. “Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief in 2024.” Woman and Home Magazine, Woman and Home Magazine, 23 Jan. 2024, www.womanandhomemagazine.co.za/books/book-review-percy-jackson-and-the-lightning-thief-in-2024/.
   

4. Ma'ruf, Annaz. (2023). The Analysis of Heroes’ Traits in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Journal of Literature, Linguistics, & Cultural Studies. 2. 69-81. 10.18860/lilics.v2i1.2727.

5. Uma Thurman: Medusa. IMDb, IMDb.Com, Inc., https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814255/characters/nm0000235?ref_=mv_close. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Disney’s Hercules Adaptation

        Disney’s Hercules (1997)

Hercules 1997 (2)

“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart”(1).

Summary:

The Disney adaptation of Hercules directed by John Musker and Ron Clements follows the story of teenage Hercules and his journey to finding where he belongs. The film starts with the birth of Hercules, son of Zeus and Hera. While still a young baby, he is taken from his home in Mount Olympus by his uncle Hades servants Pain and Panic. They attempt to poison him with a potion that will take make him mortal but are unsuccessful causing him to still have his God like strength. They lie to Hades telling him they were successful and that Hercules is forever immortal. Hades sent Pain and Panic due to the Fates telling him “In 18 years precisely / The planets will align ever so nicely. The time to act will be at hand / Unleash the Titans, your monstrous band” (5). Hades is given the chance to free the titans and together they can take down Zeus and take over rule of Mount Olympus. Although, The Fates warn him that his biggest threat will be Hercules, as he will try to stop Hades in his overthrow.

Once mortal, baby Hercules is found and taken in by a farming couple who were passing by and found him all alone. They raise him until his teenage years when they come clean about how he came from the gods. Hercules constantly felt different growing up among the mortals therefore when told this he became eager to find his family and prove to the gods that he belongs with them. He travels to the Temple of Zeus in hope that the gods will answer his questions and confusions. His father Zeus converts with Hercules telling him that in order to restore his immortality, he must become a hero. Therefore, Hercules go on a quest with his childhood sidekick Pegasus to find the satyr Philoctetes (Phil) who will know how to properly train him. 

Hercules and Meg (7)

When Hercules and Phil are done with his trainings, they travel to the city of Thebes. They are hoping to find chaos or accidents that Hercules can fix in order to prove that he is a true hero. On their journey to Thebes, they find a woman named Megara who is in a physical altercation with a centaur. Hercules frees her of the centaur and begins to notice Megs beauty completely unaware that she is working for Hades as a slave who gave her soul to save her boyfriend’s life. She reports back to him and tells him about the “wonder boy” who saved her from the centaur. That is when Hades realizes Pain and Panic never finished their job with Hercules. Because Hercules is mortal, Pain and Panic suggest that Hades sends monsters to kill Hercules. After taking the idea into consideration, Hades sends monster after monster but none are able to kill him. Meanwhile, Zeus continues to tell Hercules he is still not yet a “true hero” leaving Hercules confused and annoyed. Hades uses Meg as a distraction for Hercules telling her to make him fall in love with her. 

When the day of the planetary alignment has come, Hades takes Meg into hostage in attempt to get Hercules to surrender to give his strength for her freedom. Once the deal is done, Hercules is told Meg was working for Hades all along. Hades uses this as an advantage, unleashing the titans on the Gods of Olympus and on Hercules. Without his strength the only thing Hercules has left is his smarts, which he uses against the Cyclopes sent to kill him. While fighting, Meg is injured and killed by a falling pillar. This breaks their deal giving Hercules back his strength which he uses to kill the titans and save the Gods. When Hercules discovers of Megs death, he risks his life by going to the underworld to recover her soul and reunite it with her body. While doing so, he defeats Hades and Zeus says to him , “A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart” (1). 

Greek Mythology Representation:

Hercules Greek Mythology (8)

Although the Disney animation of Hercules was very entertaining and informational, the details and events of the movie do not align with Greek Mythology. Starting off, the parents of Hercules in the movie were Zeus and Hera, while according to the true story of Hercules, he was a product of one of Zeus’s many affairs this one being with a mortal Queen, Alcmene. He disguised himself as her husband, sleeping with her and impregnating her (6).

In the film, Hades sends Pain and Panic to take Hercules immortality away through the use of a potion. While in the true story, Hera sent two snakes to kill Hercules in his sleep in jealousy of Zeus’s affair with Alcmene. Hercules takes the snakes and strangles them before the can kill him (6). Although in the film, when Hercules is found as a baby in the mortal world, Pain and Panic do disguise themselves as two snakes and are thrown around by Hercules (3). Therefore, the movie does use a small part of the mythological tale in the use of the two snakes. 

A main similarity throughout the tale and movie is the love interest of Megara. Throughout the film, Meg’s character is known as a deuteragonist because of her working with Hades but also for her love with Hercules. The film ends with Meg and Hercules falling in love and being together (3) which is similar to the tale as well because Megara is Hercules first wife according to legend. She was the daughter of King Creon who offered her to Hercules after a battle he successfully won (8). They married and had 3 children although after Hera put Hercules into a state of delusion, he murdered all of his children and Megara left him for Iolaus (8). 

Throughout the film Hercules (1997) I questioned many of the Greek Mythological references, although for many children and early teens, I find it a very entertaining movie that is very easy to follow along for them. 

Works Cited

Garfield-White, Georgia. “Movie vs Myth: Hercules.” Mythos, 9 Apr. 2021, www.mythosblog.org/post/movie-vs-myth-hercules. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025

“Hercules.” Disney Entertainment Wiki, Fandom, Inc., 2025, disney-entertainment.fandom.com/wiki/Hercules. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

“Hercules (1997) - Plot - IMDb.” IMDb, 2024, m.imdb.com/title/tt0119282/plotsummary/. Accessed 1 Apr. 20205.

 “Hercules (1997) - Quotes - IMDb.” IMDb, 2025, m.imdb.com/title/tt0119282/quotes/. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

“Hercules Review .” Wizarddojo.com, 2025, wizarddojo.com/2015/04/19/hercules-review/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

N.S Gill. “Everything You Need to Know about Hercules.” ThoughtCo, 27 Feb. 2019, www.thoughtco.com/who-was-hercules-118938. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025

“Super Relatable Quotes from Hercules.” Disney News, 10 Oct. 2013, news.disney.com/10-super-relatable-quotes-from-hercules. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025

Taylor Gmahling. “The Real Story of Hercules - Museum Hack.” Museum Hack, 21 June 2018, museumhack.com/hercules/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.