Year 12 IB Extended Essays 2017

Introduction

I chose the to investigate the question: “How is Greek Mythology used by Carol Ann Duffy

and Margaret Atwood to convey significant meanings and feminist ideals to a modern

audience? ” as I am fascinated by the myths of ancient Greece culture and deeply enjoy

reading the poetry of Margaret Atwood and Carol Ann Duffy. Greek Myth has a very

prominent influence in Western culture. There are countless pieces of literature, music, and

film that are based, influenced, and inspired by such myths. It has created commonly used

allusions that can be seen in many forms popular culture. Modern poets Carol Ann Duffy and

Margaret Atwood have frequent references to Greek myth throughout their works, the titles

of their poetry frequently reference a particular character relevant to the poem. Both poets

often address gender issues, contemporary culture, and oppression and social inequality. The

poems that will be analysed in this essay are Atwood’s poems; Eurydice, and Siren Song , and

Duffy’s poems: Thetis, Circe, and Demeter. Atwood and Duffy regularly have allusions to

Greek Mythology in their works and frequently write about women, focusing on feminist

themes.

The sources used in this essay are non-fiction resources on Greek Mythology. Considering

there are many variations on Greek Mythology through slight changes in translations and also

alterations in ancient oral story-telling, I decided to use two sources where the myths directly

correlated in order to remain consistent. Other sources cited include Duffy and Atwood’s

published works, both online and in print.

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Goldsmith