As a storyteller who has delved deep into the realms of mythology and modern narrative, I find the transformation of Poseidon in Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series to be nothing short of captivating. The Sea King, once a figure of fear and wrath, is now a character who grapples with his duties as a father, making him more relatable and complex than his ancient Greek counterpart.
Back in the sweltering summer of 2005, I discovered a game-changing book titled “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief” penned by the brilliant American author Rick Riordan. This epic novel, a beacon amidst the rising tide of young adult fantasy literature, steered me away from the enchanting castles of the Wizarding World and the frosty forests of Forks, Washington. Instead, it led me on an exhilarating journey through the venerable halls of Olympus.
For generations, readers have continued to cherish and sometimes rank the entire series, as it has grown by incorporating various mythologies from different historical eras. A surge of new fans emerged following a brief film series in the early 2010s (that fell short of a trilogy), along with a subsequent TV show airing on Disney+; when this show premiered in 2023, it was praised as an inspiring tale of growth and self-discovery. It’s evident that the Olympians still hold much of their original charm, echoing the enchantment they had when Riordan embarked on his journey and when ancient Greek storytellers captivated their audiences with stories about gods and mythical creatures.
The intriguing blend of ancient Greek legends with modern-day storytelling found in “Percy Jackson” is what makes it thrilling and easy to relate to. For instance, Percy’s father, the enigmatic, powerful, and sometimes puzzling Olympian deity Poseidon, plays a significant role in the series.
Who Is Percy Jackson’s Real Father & Why Is It Such a Big Deal?
In a nutshell, Percy Jackson is the offspring of Poseidon, the primary Greek deity known for ruling the seas and holding a place on the Olympian council, also being part of the trio of powerful gods called the “Big Three” alongside Zeus and Hades. The 2010 movie version of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” features Kevin McKidd as Percy, with Logan Lerman playing Percy himself, while in the Disney+ series, Toby Stephens takes on the role of Poseidon opposite Walker Scobell as Percy.
The trio known as “The Big Three” are renowned as the mightiest Greek deities, unsurpassed in physical prowess, control over elements, and political sway. However, their immense power carries a heavy price. Following World War II, during which their descendants engaged in their own secret conflict alongside humans (incited by clandestine Olympian meddling), they came to understand the potential of their offspring to mold the human world, often for good but more frequently for ill. This awareness was intensified by a prophecy from Delphi’s Oracle, foretelling a child of The Big Three who could either sustain Olympus eternally or bring about its total annihilation.
Due to a prior commitment, my brothers and I vowed not to father any more demigod offspring for about half a century – a promise that, being immortal, I eventually found myself breaking in 1993. That year, Sally Jackson gave birth to Percy “Percy” Jackson, a child who would ultimately hold the power to either protect or destroy Olympus. As his father, it was only when Percy reached Camp Half-Blood that my divine nature became undeniably apparent to everyone there, thanks to his extraordinary powers.
Why Percy Jackson’s Father Is Not the God You Remember
Despite Percy Jackson’s father Poseidon sharing a name, title, and general mythology with the ancient Greek figure, they differ significantly in terms of personality. In essence, he embodies the terrifying nature that is characteristic of most Greek deities.
As a gamer, I’ve often found myself in epic battles between mythical characters, but none quite compare to the endless power struggles among the Olympians. In this digital realm, we trade our unique abilities for alliance with a supreme leader, much like how these gods gave up their absolute dominion to serve Zeus. However, instead of fostering unity, this pact seemed to breed resentment, especially within the heart of Poseidon.
Much like his “Percy Jackson” counterpart, the Poseidon of ancient myth struggled with impulsive sexual behavior. Even among Greek deities, his numerous bizarre sexual liaisons are surprising. In fact, jokes about Aquaman’s encounters with fish can be traced back to Poseidon, as it is said that he found pleasure in almost every sea creature. The consent in these relationships was often questionable at best and non-existent at worst, further highlighting the selfish nature of his character, which starkly contrasts with the noble, flawed yet paternal figure portrayed in the novels and adaptations.
How Percy Jackson’s Father Changes The Mythical Story
In Rick Riordan’s adaptation of Poseidon for his young adult series, he intentionally portrayed the Greek god as not just a secondary character, but as a nurturing and compassionate father-figure for the protagonist. To achieve this, Riordan subtly toned down Poseidon’s more aggressive traits, transforming him into a romantic hero who values his emotional connections over ancient oaths or traditional norms. Despite occasionally falling short in his fatherly duties, Poseidon demonstrates accountability by taking steps to care for his children, something that is relatively uncommon among Greek gods in mythology.
Rick Riordan reworks certain Greek myths involving Poseidon in “Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods” and “Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes,” attempting to harmonize the fantastical tales associated with the Sea God and his portrayal in the “Percy Jackson” series. This adaptation results in Poseidon’s propensity for revenge and violent acts being toned down significantly, primarily manifesting as intimidation rather than the destructive battles they often were in mythology. For instance, if innocent lives were lost during Poseidon’s pursuit of the Nereid Queen Cassiopeia by summoning a monstrous sea creature to her kingdom, Riordan doesn’t dwell on this detail. Instead, a remorseful Poseidon demonstrates his compassion by permitting the beast to be defeated.
In a slightly different wording, it could be expressed like this: It’s reasonable to suggest that certain alterations in the portrayal of Poseidon are influenced by contemporary storytelling conventions. For instance, he is depicted with a modern sense of humor, a laid-back demeanor, admirable masculinity, and genuine kindness. These traits are quite distinct from the ancient Greek depiction of him, but it’s possible that these characteristics might have been given to him if he had been created more recently, considering the contemporary view of the sea as less fearsome due to fewer maritime tragedies compared to the Greeks.
What Happened to Percy Jackson’s Other Father?
Indeed, just as Harry Potter endured the harsh treatment of the Dursleys, Percy Jackson faced the unpleasantness inflicted by his odorous stepfather, Gabe.
Gabrielle Ugliano runs a small business and married Percy’s mom, Sally, when Percy was still a young child. At first, he appears friendly and accommodating within their family circle. However, this facade quickly fades as he takes on the role of an oppressive dictator. He frequently feigns work or engages in activities that strongly suggest illegal gambling (using money stolen from Percy at least once). When not involved in these activities, he’s often drunk and irritable, barely containing his anger which he often directs towards Sally. There are strong suggestions that Gabrielle physically harmed Sally, in addition to subjecting her to ongoing verbal, emotional, and financial abuse.
In a chilling twist, it is unveiled that Sally deliberately selected Gabe due to his repulsive personality traits, which took form in an overpowering stench so potent that it baffled even supernatural entities’ senses. Although Percy, being Poseidon’s son, had a strong scent of his own, no monsters could track him down until he was significantly distanced from Gabe’s repulsive emanations.
Eventually, Percy no longer requires that kind of protection due to his initiation as a demigod warrior and residence at Camp Half-Blood. Consequently, since Sally finds him unrepentant and lacking in growth potential, she utilizes the still lethal head of Medusa (which Percy had previously killed) to transform Gabe into an immovable stone statue. This petrified body is later sold as artwork, providing Sally with a substantial amount of money to begin her life independently.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-27 19:00