Cody Casey
The ancient Greek god of shepherds and hunters, Pan, has been referenced in popular culture, including in songs, literature, films, and stage productions. For instance, The Great Pan is Dead is a song by the artist Cold Cave, appearing on the album Cherish the Light Years. In addition, Mike Scott of the Waterboys refers to Pan as an archetypal force within everyone and talks about his search for The Pan Within.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Songs | "The Great Pan is Dead" by Cold Cave, "Pan-Worship" by Eleanor Farjeon, "The Plea of Pan" by Henry W. Nevinson, and a song from elementary school with the lyrics "Pan, Pan, Greek God Pan! One half goat, the other half man." |
| Portrayals in cinema | Pan's Labyrinth (2006), Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010), The Cabin in the Woods (2011), The Witch (2015), The Shape of Water (2017), Legend (1985), The Little Mermaid (1989), Midsummer Night's Dream (1999), Sir Thaddeus (1999), The Bacchae (2002), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Picnic on the Grass (1959), 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964), Don't Look Now (1973), The Wicker Man (1973) |
| Portrayals in literature | The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen, The Golden Ass by Apuleius, The Dunwich Horror by H.P. Lovecraft, The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft, Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Beetle by Richard Marsh, Pan's Garden by Algernon Blackwood, À rebours by Joris-Karl Huysmans, Là-bas by Joris-Karl Huysmans, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud |
| Portrayals in games | Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Dungeons & Dragons, Freedom Force, King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella, Rise of the Argonauts |
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What You'll Learn
Pan in popular culture
Pan, the Greek deity, is often portrayed in popular culture, including cinema, literature, music, and stage productions, as a symbolic or cultural reference.
Literature
Arthur Machen's 1894 novella, *The Great God Pan*, is considered one of the greatest horror stories ever written. It explores the revelation of the world as it truly is: "seeing the Great God Pan". The novella is also known for its portrayal of Helen Vaughan as a "demon woman of voracious and malignant sexuality", which is thought to have influenced a similar character in Richard Marsh's *The Beetle* (1897). It also influenced the structure of H. P. Lovecraft's *The Call of Cthulhu* (1928) and *The Dunwich Horror* (1929), which features a monstrous half-human hybrid inspired by Pan.
In the late 19th century, there was a resurgence of interest in the Pan motif in literature and art. Pan appears in poetry, novels, and children's books, and is referenced in the name and character of Peter Pan, who represents a golden age of pre-civilisation in the minds of very young children and in the natural world outside the influence of humans.
Film
Pan has been portrayed in numerous films, including:
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010), which briefly references Pan and his disappearance.
- The Cabin in the Woods (2011), which includes references to various mythological creatures, including Pan.
- The Witch (2015), which explores themes of witchcraft and folklore that resonate with ancient mythological spirits like Pan.
- Pan's Labyrinth (2006), a dark fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro, which features a faun inspired by the "ambivalent and possibly dangerous" portrayals of Pan in late Victorian and Edwardian novels.
- The Little Mermaid (1989), which includes characters and scenes that evoke the spirit of Pan and other mythological beings.
- Midsummer Night's Dream (1999), which features references to mythical creatures and spirits, including Pan-like characters.
- The Wicker Man (1973), which includes pagan themes and references to Pan, particularly in its portrayal of rituals and beliefs.
Music
The artist Cold Cave has a song titled "The Great Pan is Dead", which appears on the album *Cherish the Light Years*.
Musician Mike Scott of the Waterboys refers to Pan as an archetypal force within us all and talks about his search for "The Pan Within", a theme also reflected in the song's sequel, "The Return of Pan".
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The Great God Pan
The novella was widely denounced by the press as degenerate and horrific because of its implied sexual content, and it hurt Machen's reputation as an author. However, beginning in the 1920s, Machen's work was critically re-evaluated, and The Great God Pan is now considered a classic of horror. Literary critics have noted the influence of other nineteenth-century authors on the novella and offered differing opinions on whether it can be considered Gothic fiction or science fiction. The work has influenced many notable horror writers, including Bram Stoker, H. P. Lovecraft, and Stephen King.
The novella has also inspired a song of the same name by the band Blood Ceremony. Their song 'The Great God Pan' includes the lyrics: "The skies above have darkened, the stars have aligned / We're witness to a rite of black magic design / Master of witches, king of the chaos sphere / Pastoral God whose altar burns".
In addition to Machen's novella and Blood Ceremony's song, there are other cultural references to the Great God Pan. For example, in the late 19th century, there was a resurgence of interest in the Pan motif, and he appeared in poetry, novels, and children's books. One notable example is J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan stories, in which Peter represents a golden age of pre-civilisation, exploring issues of human and animal psychology.
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Portrayals of Pan in cinema
The Greek god Pan has been depicted in various films, each portraying him in unique ways. Here is an exploration of some notable portrayals of Pan in cinema:
Pan (2015):
Directed by Joe Wright, this American fantasy film is a prequel to the classic story of Peter Pan, exploring the origin story of Peter Pan and Captain Hook. While the film received mixed reviews, with criticism aimed at its writing and casting, it offered a unique take on the well-known characters. The film's Pan-like elements are subtle, with the focus being on the world and characters of Neverland rather than a direct portrayal of the god Pan.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010):
Based on Greek mythology, this film briefly references Pan and his disappearance. The reference to Pan is part of the film's broader exploration of mythological creatures and themes.
The Witch (2015):
Set in 1630s New England, this horror film delves into witchcraft and folklore, resonating with ancient mythological spirits like Pan. While Pan may not be a central character, his presence is implied through the exploration of themes related to nature, magic, and ancient spirits.
Midsummer Night's Dream (1999):
This adaptation of Shakespeare's play by Michael Hoffman features references to mythical creatures and spirits, including Pan-like characters. The film interprets Pan in a way that aligns with his portrayal in folklore and mythology.
The Shape of Water (2017):
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this film subtly nods to Pan through its fantastical creatures and themes of nature and magic. While Pan may not be a central character, the film incorporates elements of Pan's mythical nature and his association with the natural world.
7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964):
Based on the novel "The Circus of Dr. Lao" by Charles G. Finney, this movie adaptation features Pan as a character. The film likely explores the mythical and fantastical aspects associated with Pan.
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Pan in music
The Greek deity Pan is often referenced in music, as well as in cinema, literature, and stage productions. In music, the most iconic symbol associated with Pan is the pan flute, an instrument he is said to have created and played. In popular music, the artist Cold Cave has a song titled "The Great Pan is Dead", which appears on the album Cherish the Light Years. Musician Mike Scott of the Waterboys refers to Pan as an archetypal force within everyone and talks about his search for "The Pan Within", a theme also reflected in the song's sequel, "The Return of Pan".
In addition to these modern references, Pan has been a prominent figure in music since ancient times. In Homeric Hymn 19 to Pan (Greek epic C7th - 4th B.C.), Pan is described as follows:
> "At evening, as he [Pan] returns from the chase, he sounds his note, playing sweet and low on his pipes of reed: not even she could excel him in melody--that bird who flower-laden spring pouring forth her lament utters honey-voiced song amid the leaves. At that hour the clear-voiced Nymphai are with him and move with nimble feet, singing by some spring of dark water, while Ekho (Echo) wails about the mountain-top, and the god on this side or on that of the choirs, or at times sidling into the midst, plies it nimbly with his feet."
In Anacreon, Fragment 368 (Greek lyric C6th B.C.), the pipes of Pan are described as "hollow". In Apuleius, The Golden Ass 5. 25 ff (Roman novel C2nd A.D.), Pan is depicted as a rustic god, sitting by a stream and teaching the mountain deity Echo to repeat songs after him.
In the 1800s, there was a revival of interest in the Greek god Pan, and communities organized festivals in which he was the central figure. This interest in Pan and the ancient world is also reflected in music. For example, in the late 1980s, an animated segment played during music class in schools included a song about Pan:
> "Pan, Pan, Greek God Pan! One half goat, the other half man."
In popular culture, Pan has been portrayed in films such as Ridley Scott's "Legend" (1985), where Tim Curry plays a character with traits reminiscent of Pan, and "The Little Mermaid" (1989), which includes characters and scenes that evoke the spirit of Pan. Pan is also referenced in "The Witch" (2015), "The Cabin in the Woods" (2011), and "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" (2010).
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Pan's flute
The pan flute, also known as the syrinx, pandean, or pan-pipes, is a musical instrument made from reeds or pipes. According to Greek mythology, the instrument was invented by the god Pan to woo the wood nymph Syrinx, who rejected him and turned herself into river reeds to escape him. Pan cut the reeds, placed them in parallel, bound them together, and made a melodic instrument. The pan flute is played by blowing horizontally across an open end against the sharp inner edge of the pipes. Each pipe is tuned to a keynote, and the length of the pipe determines the pitch.
The pan flute has been depicted in various works of art and literature. In Assassin's Creed, the character Kassandra discovers Pan's magical flute in a cave. In the English town of Painswick, an annual procession dedicated to Pan was organised in the 18th century, during which a statue of the deity was carried and people shouted "Highgates"! The tradition was revived in 1885 but ended in 1950 when a new vicar had Pan's statue buried.
In the 19th century, there was a resurgence of interest in the Pan motif in literature and art. Arthur Machen's 1894 novella, "The Great God Pan", is considered one of the greatest horror stories ever written and influenced the works of H.P. Lovecraft. The novella explores the revelation of a hidden spiritual world and the death of Pan. Similarly, in Eleanor Farjeon's poem "Pan-Worship", the speaker tries to summon Pan to replace the "autumn" of their soul with a "spring-tide".
In addition to literature, Pan has been referenced in music. Musician Mike Scott of the Waterboys refers to Pan as an archetypal force within us all and reflects this theme in his songs "The Pan Within" and "The Return of Pan". Guillermo del Toro's film "Pan's Labyrinth" also portrays a darker, more sinister version of Pan, inspired by late Victorian and Edwardian novels.
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Frequently asked questions
Some songs that reference the god Pan include "The Great Pan is Dead" by Cold Cave, "The Pan Within" by The Waterboys, and "The Return of Pan" also by The Waterboys.
Yes, the god Pan has been featured in many films, including "Legend" (1985), "The Little Mermaid" (1989), "Midsummer Night's Dream" (1999), "The Cabin in the Woods" (2011), "The Witch" (2015), and "The Shape of Water" (2017).
Pan is the Greek god of shepherds, hunters, and the wilds, and is often associated with nature and rustic music. He is considered one of the oldest Greek gods and is known for his part-goat appearance. Pan is also said to be the origin of the word "panic," as he is depicted as sometimes causing sudden, irrational fear in humans.
