THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PORTRAITS OF THE ANCIENT GREEK GODS: POSTMODERN PARODY IN PHILLIPS’ GODS BEHAVING BADLY

Authors : Mehtap Demirtürk

Pages : 558-575

Doi:10.69878/deuefad.1605574

View : 91 | Download : 256

Publication Date : 2025-10-27

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This paper discusses the postmodern parody in Marie Phillips’ Gods Behaving Badly which reimagines ancient Greek mythology in contemporary London. It also explores postmodern parody and satire to show how the novel functions as a deconstruction of classical mythology, heroism, and divine power. The novel challenges ancient myths finding new relevance and satire in the gods of Zeus, Artemis, and Apollo forced to contend with real-life issues like capitalism and consumerism. It is a metaphor for the waning influence of classical mythology in a contemporary, nonbeliever world: the god’s complete descent from omnipotence into irrelevancy. Through the story of an ordinary man whose awkwardness and lack of traditional heroic also traits challenge received ideas of bravery, it examines the critique of modern heroism. How Phillips uses satire to critique the materialistic thinking that is so widespread today can be seen as an example of criticising postmodern culture. Even the afterlife, as depicted in the novel, is an arena under capitalist control. This paper applies Hutcheon’s theory of postmodern parody to Gods Behaving Badly which demonstrates how the novel blends humour with social satire to reinterpret ancient myths in a postmodern context. By analysing the novel’s engagement with traditional mythological narratives and contemporary cultural criticism, this study highlights how Phillips’ work functions as a site of literary transformation and social commentary.
Keywords : Postmodernizm, Parodi, Hiciv, Çağdaş Mitoloji, Gods Behaving Badly.

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