Lycanthropus adulescens: the Classical element in MTV’s Teen Wolf (2011–17)

Abstract

The adaptation of elements of Greek and Roman myth and folklore is a recurrent aspect of late-twentieth- and early-twenty-first-century fiction on page and screen. These elements are usually presented alongside other mythologies and they, over all, serve to add depth and veracity to the world-building. This is no different in Teen Wolf, an MTV show that focused on Scott McCall’s journey through lycanthropy. However, in most modern fiction the Classical element is one of many sources used in in-story world-building. This paper will present the many examples of the use of Classical elements in Teen Wolf, including: the way the werewolves are presented as Lycaon’s descendants and with elements common to Roman versipelles, the way the Classical past (historic, folkloric, mythic) is included as part of the intradiegetic lore, and how the show itself is built following ancient epic patterns with Classical paradigms as points of reference.