MODERN MEDIA CULTURE AND ANTIQUITY: INTERTEXTUAL STRATEGIES IN THE EPISODE I, CARUMBUS OF THE ANIMATED SERIES THE SIMPSONS

Abstract

The article examines the representation of classical heritage in the contemporary media space through the example of the animated series The Simpsons. Special attention is given to the analysis of historical allusions and linguistic strategies employed to create multi-layered cultural meanings. The aim of the study is to integrate linguistic analysis into traditional approaches to the study of classical reception, using as a case study the episode I, Carumbus. The research focuses on identifying how allusions, reminiscences, and linguistic elements related to the Roman history and culture function within the artistic strategy of a modern media product. Methodologically, the work combines intertextual and linguistic analysis, cultural commentary, and a comparison of the original English version with the Ukrainian dubbing. Particular attention is paid to the use of Latin expressions – both accurate and those containing grammatical or semantic errors – and their role in creating comedic, educational, or ironic effects. The scholarly novelty of the article lies in its focus on the linguistic dimension of classical representation, which remains underexplored in the context of animated series. For the first time, a detailed analysis is provided of linguistic strategies for integrating Latin, historical allusions, and reminiscences into the animated series, as well as instances of mistranslation or shifts in meaning. The findings demonstrate that the classical discourse in the series fulfils educational, didactic, ironic, and intertextual functions. Historical figures and events, adapted to contemporary storylines, create a distinctive cross-temporal dialogue. The use of linguistic devices – from allusions to well-known Latin maxims to parodic modifications – enhances the artistic effect and fosters cultural associations in the viewer. This approach reveals the multi-layered nature of classical interpretations in contemporary media and opens up prospects for further research into the linguistic dimension of cultural reception.