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This summer Matt Damon transformed himself into Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey. Reports show that purchases of the poem have increased by 76% as compared to last year's sales. Interest in journeying deeper into Greek mythology has noticeably increased with more adaptations and translations being added into the collection and circulating.
You may be inspired to craft your own "personal syllabus," a way to guide yourself through individual learning. Last year this became a trend as people were nostalgic about having a curriculum to follow and deadlines that would lead to sticking to the task and completing a learning goal. A Greek Mythology-based personal syllabus could include reading:
Mythology (292 HAMILTON) – Written in 1942, Edith Hamilton published this at 75 years old, and it remains a premiere source on Mythology of the Greek, Roman, and Norse.
The Iliad (883.01 HOMER) – A tad more complex than The Odyssey, Homer's other poem is an account of the Trojan War and the many perspectives involved.
But this can be done with nearly any topic of interest, even hobbies like cooking or woodworking. So, if you feel like you're missing out on this back-to-school season or want the accountability of a due date, crafting your own personal syllabus may be a fun way to push yourself to learn without the grades.
However, in her memoir, This is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch, Tabitha Carvan (158 Carvan) argues that if you enjoy something like Matt Damon in The Odyssey, simply enjoying Matt Damon's acting can produce more happiness. Journeys are inspiring. And while a crash course in Greek Mythology may be edifying, following Matt Damon's career as an actor can lead to many lessons, real or imagined, and takes just as much of a time commitment. Here are a few of the movies he has starred in, and the books they were adapted from that you can check out:
The Bourne Identity (DVD FICTION BOURNE)
Book – (FIC LUDLUM)
The Martian (DVD FICTION MARTIAN)
Book- (SCIENCE FICTION WEIR)
The Monuments Men (DVD FICTION MONUMENT)
Book- (940.531 EDSEL)
Oppenheimer (DVD FICTION OPPENHEIMER)
Book- American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer (921 OPPENHEIMER)
True Grit (DVD FICTION TRUE)
Book- (FICTION PORTIS)
Whether your motivation is educational or personal, the library is here to help you on whatever journey you go on. If you'd like to request these or any other titles, visit www.newulmlibrary.org and choose Library Catalog, or call the library at 507-359-8331. New Ulm Public Library is located at 17 North Broadway and is open from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The library will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.