Blog entry by Borbála Bökös
As part of an Erasmus course, I had the opportunity to test one of my previous lesson plans in practice with students from Partium Christian University and several visiting exchange students. The session focused on the interconnection between myths and fantasy, with special attention to adaptations—particularly the reinterpretations of famous myths in the Percy Jackson young adult book series.
During the seminar, students discussed the blending of genres such as YA fiction, fantasy, and mythology, exploring how these categories interact. They also debated the innovative ways in which the adaptations reimagine and modernize ancient Greek myths. Following Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey framework, we mapped the protagonist’s coming-of-age process, the possible paths to heroism, and identified the archetypal roles represented by various characters.
In our in-depth discussions, we examined whether the film adaptations trivialize or, on the contrary, revitalize and bring ancient myths closer to modern audiences. We also explored how the story’s settings contribute to new myth-making, and how the protagonist’s hybridity (being half-god, half-human) raises broader questions about identity and self-definition.
The session concluded with a lively and entertaining Kahoot quiz game.
