Homer's "The Odyssey"

[JeffKeryk]

For those of you with an interest, here is a primer on the poet Homer's, "The Odyssey".
If you are not familiar with Greek Mythology, it just may be more epic than you may know.
Highly recommended.

 

[gman2304]

Thanks Jeff, this and a few minutes reading cliff notes on The Odyssey, just saved me from weeks of tortuous reading. I can skip the upcoming movie and still be ready to impress the ‘ pinky curlers ‘ at the next dinner party I attend.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Very interesting. Thanks for the post.

 

[Capt W]

I'll be the odd man out. Once you get used to the rhythm of Homeric poetry, it's anything but tortuous. I initially read The Odyssey in high school. As a college sophomore our literature class spent an entire semester on The Iliad and The Odyssey. They remain two of my favorite works of literature.

The interwebs and films are no match for actual ink on paper.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Thanks Jeff, this and a few minutes reading cliff notes on The Odyssey, just saved me from weeks of tortuous reading. I can skip the upcoming movie and still be ready to impress the ‘ pinky curlers ‘ at the next dinner party I attend.

"I resemble that remark..." Curly Howard.

 

[KrisZ]

I've heard the latest movie iteration is no inclusive enough...

 

[CKN]

I've heard the latest movie iteration is no inclusive enough...

Welll.it doesn't matter I guess what we think. It did 264 million (globally) in three days.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Just got back from the movie. Beautifully made and filmed. I wondered how they could get this 10 year story into 3 hours.
Epic story. Highly recommended, even if you are not familiar with Homer's "The Odyssey". But please study up before going or it may not make sense because you won't know the players. The video I posted in #1 will be a good primer.

 

[ecotourist]

I too studied the Odyssey in high school. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Some years ago there was a CBC radio presentation on the Odyssey and where Odysseus might actually have been (ie maybe it wasn't a myth, maybe it actually happened).

There were some things that could well be real - what you would do with a sailing ship in a major storm - he would have run before the wind and by staying away from shores he could have entered the Atlantic, by which time they were lost. They describe features which might well be on the Atlantic coast of Europe. They described "frost on a blanket at dawn in mid summer" - which could have represented being in Scandinavia. They described a huge whirlpool which actually exists with tide rushing in near Ireland.

 

[cptbarkey]

SpongeBob the movie is based on the Odyssey.

Saw the first showing this past Thursday, very much enjoyed it and might see it again.

 

[Astro14]

This is like reading the Cliff Notes….

Sure, if you’ve never heard of it, or never read it before, this is an introduction, but it certainly isn’t a substitute for actually reading it. Read the Iliad first. And when you’re done with both, read Virgil’s Aeneid.

For me, the best part of the Odyssey (spoiler alert) is when Odysseus returns home, incognito, faces the house of suitors, and strings his bow.

IYKYK

Further trivia - or why I a fan of Warren Zevon - Virgil opens the Aeneid with Arma virumque cano - “I sing of arms and the man”. When Warren opened his show one night - he said, “I sing of arms and the man” and then played “Roland”.

IYKYK

 

[wings&wheels]

SpongeBob the movie is based on the Odyssey.

Saw the first showing this past Thursday, very much enjoyed it and might see it again.

While I remember Odyssey (and Iliad) from my classroom days, I did particularly enjoy the Coen Brothers interpretation

 

[JeffKeryk]

My hope, sort of corallory to @Astro14 comments, is, perhaps the spectacular movie will generate interest in those not familiar with the literature. Perhaps it may foster further investigation?

 

[AutoMechanic]

My first thought was The Simpsons Homers Odyssey episode lol. It’s kinda sad I’m the only one who thought of that lol. I knew of the other thing too it’s just automatically it didn’t come to my mind before The Simpsons.

 

[JeffKeryk]

My first thought was The Simpsons Homers Odyssey episode lol. It’s kinda sad I’m the only one who thought of that lol. I knew of the other thing too it’s just automatically it didn’t come to my mind before The Simpsons.

Ancient Greek literature has shaped much of our world of today, even the great Homer Simpson. Doh! Truth be told, I do not know that story...

"The Odyssey" has been retold many times; it is known as "the hero's journey". Greek Literature Legacy