Classical Mythology in English Literature brings together a range of English versions of three classical myths, allowing readers for the first time to explore the ways in which they have been reinterpreted and reinvented by writers throughout history.

Beginning with a concise introduction to the principal Greco-Roman gods and heroes, the anthology then focuses on three stories: Orpheus, the great musician and his quest to free his wife Eurydice from death; Venus and Adonis, the love goddess and the beautiful youth she loved; and Pygmalion, the master sculptor who fell in love with his creation. Each section begins with the classical sources and ends with contemporary versions, showing how each myth has been used/abused or appropriated since its origins.