The Calydonian Boar Hunt
The Calydonian Boar Hunt
In a Nutshell
Okay, sure, there may not have been a Hollywood blockbuster made out of this story (yet), but there's no doubt it works on a formula that's tried and true. Stop us if this sounds familiar. Some big crazy monster shows up and starts destroying everything. This could also apply to asteroids, terrorists, serial killers... you name it. To combat the seemingly unstoppable monster, some ruling power (like a king, president, FBI Chief) drafts a hero and/or a crack team of heroes to take the monster down.
Yeah, we're guessing that the titles of tons of movies, TV shows, comic books, video games, and novels are all flooding your mind right now. If not, then we're guessing you've never read or watched anything. Like ever. Like never ever at all. If this is the case, then we feel very bad for you, and we highly suggest that you start reading and watching stuff immediately. Trust us; it won't take long for you to come across a story that follows the sure-fire formula of the Hunt for the Calydonian Boar.
Shmoop Connections
Explore the ways this myth connects with the world and with other topics on Shmoop
You can get Shmoop's scoop on the version of the story in Ovid's Metamorphoses here.The Calydonian Boar Hunt isn't the only pork-safari to turn sour. Check out William Golding's Lord of the Flies for a prime example.
Atalanta isn't the only tough chick to buck the gender status quo of her time. Just check out Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw if you want another great example.