Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is about to be released. While fans have been waiting for the movie for some time, many are unaware of the deep history embedded in the storyline. Here’s everything you need to know about Homer’s epic poem, and how it inspired Nolan to create his own.
What is Homer’s “Odyssey”
Homer’s “Odyssey” is one of two poems written by the Greek poet and philosopher Homer. Another work, the Iliad, tells the story of what happened during the Trojan War and how King Ithaca won the war, while the Odyssey tells what happened after the events of the war and the ten-year journey Odysseus embarked on to find his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. Meanwhile, back home in Ithaca, Penelope and Telemachus defend their throne, awaiting Odysseus’ return while dealing with suitors who want to inherit the throne.The poem was written by Homer between 750 and 700 B.C. and was originally passed down through oral tradition. However, after the Greek alphabet was developed, the poem was first recorded on a papyrus scroll.The protagonist of the poem, Odysseus, is a Greek ruler known for his wit, intelligence, strategic thinking, diplomacy, and his ability to handle situations and survive the most unlikely of circumstances. He is known to not use force but instead uses his wits to win. However, his overconfidence attracted unwanted attention and for a time displeased many gods, including Athena, even though she was one of his biggest supporters.It took Odysseus ten years to return home in dangerous waters because he blinded the Cyclops Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. The water god then promised to send him everything to ensure that he had no safe way home. From shipwrecks to storms and supernatural creatures, the King of Ithaca faces everything known to man in the story during his ten-year journey home.
Gods and supernatural beings plotting against Odysseus
For ten years, King Ithaca faced many challenges and monsters. Among them was the god of wind, who gave him a bag of all the winds in existence, minus the winds he needed to get home. However, the bag sparked a series of storms when his team opened it and thought it might contain some treasure. Another notable moment in the poem is Circe, who turns his crew into pigs. However, he convinced her to let them sail home after living on the island for a year. Odysseus even travels to the underworld to seek answers from Tiresias. He also meets his mother and two of his soldiers, Achilles and Agamemnon. During his journey, he encounters more creatures and divine forces who do their best to prevent his return to Ithaca.
More on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
“The Odyssey” stars Matt Damon and other stars, Tom HollandAnne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong-Oh and many other movies are scheduled to be released worldwide on July 17. Shot with IMAX cameras, the film follows King Odysseus of Ithaca as he journeys back to his wife and son.
