Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ is right there since its release date. Although fans have been waiting for this film for a long time, many are not aware of the history of the plot line. Here’s a look at everything you need to know about Homer’s powerful poem and how it inspired Nolan to create his own.
What is Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’?
Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ is one of two poems written by the Greek poet and philosopher Homer. While the other part, ‘Iliad’, describes what happened during the Trojan War and how the King of Ithaca won the war, ‘Odyssey’ describes what happened after the events of the war and the 10-year journey that Odysseus started to return his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus. Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, Penelope and Telemachus defend their throne, awaiting the return of Odysseus as they fight off opponents who want to usurp the throne.The poem was discovered by Homer between 750 and 700 BCE, and was first passed down through the generations by word of mouth. However, after the Greek alphabet was invented, the poem was written for the first time on papyrus scrolls.Odysseus, the main character of the poem, was a Greek ruler who was known for his wisdom, intelligence, good judgment, negotiation, and his ability to overcome adversity and survive even in the most difficult situations. Instead of using force, he was known to use his intelligence to achieve success; however, his overconfidence demanded undue attention and angered many gods, including Athena, for a time, even though she was one of his greatest supporters.It took 10 years for Odysseus to return home on dangerous waters as he blinded Poseidon’s son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Then the water god promised to send whatever he could to make sure there was no safe way home. From shipwrecks to storms and supernatural beings, on his 10-year journey home, the King of Ithaca faces everything known to man in the story.
The gods are spiritual beings who prepare for Odysseus
In the course of 10 years, the king of Ithaca faces many problems and monsters. This includes Aeolus, who gives him a bag of all the available winds, except for what he needs to get home. However, the bag causes a storm after his team opens it thinking it might contain a treasure. Another notable moment in the poem comes with Circe, who turns her servants into pigs. However, they manage to persuade him to let them return home after spending a year on his island. Odysseus goes back to the underworld to get answers from Tiresias. He also meets his mother, and his two soldiers, Achilles and Agamemnon. On his journey he encounters many creatures and divine forces that do everything in their power to prevent him from returning to Ithaca.
More about Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’
‘The Odyssey’, with names like Matt Damon, Tom HollandAnne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, and many more, are set to be released on July 17 worldwide. Shot on IMAX cameras, the film is supposed to follow the King of Ithaca Odysseus on his journey home to his wife and son.