Okay, so this is an essay I had to write for school and I found it really interesting and so I thought I'd share my thoughts here. This is the whole essay and my teacher gave me full marks (25/25). If you haven't read the poem, you might not understand everything that I talk about, but I do really recommend giving it a read. I love it. So, would the Odyssey make a good film?
The Odyssey, an epic poem written by Homer, has a variety of different components which lead to the production of a good movie. There are cinematic features in which we can see Homer’s work providing intrigue and excitement, as well the more emotional aspects that really create an impact on the viewers and thus allow for enjoyable content. From the plot to the characters, there are multiple reasons as to why the Odyssey would make a good film, with only few features that are a cause for confusion and interruption in the cinematic process.
It is perhaps significant to delve into the protagonist of the epic and the different components to his character that would translate well to the screen. Odysseus is rather duplicitous, emphatic of his human nature and thus making him a good character to explore. Contextually, it is known that Odysseus was fighting in the Trojan War for ten years and thus would be interesting to cinematically analyse and corporate. For a more contemporary audience, the idea of Odysseus having PTSD and was affected greatly by the war would be able to create certain tics and mannerisms, as well as creating explanations for his short-temper and ability to swap moods rapidly.Though not translating the text literally, this adaptation would allow the Odyssey to make an extremely good film as it would incorporate both the ancient ideals of a hero, and the issues which are prominent within modern society. As well as this, we are able to see the flaws in Odysseus’ character, such as his undeniable lustful desires that he often succumbs to and creates both pathos for Penelope and interesting interactions with some of the other female characters. Though Odysseus remains faithful in his heart, there is the dramatic irony of Penelope remaining faithful, “weeping” for the protagonist of epic. Despite the flaws in his character, there is the leadership and heroic qualities that Odysseus expresses throughout the whole of the epic. His men listen to him, most of the time, and he is able to command Telemachus and Eumaeus back home in order to defeat the suitors. If Odysseus was wholly good and exerted no flaws in his leadership then the translation into a movie would not be successful as the audience would become bored at the fact that nothing could defeat him and he could do nothing wrong, making him like Superman, too overpowered. The flaws of Odysseus make him more relatable and human, allowing the audience to really connect with his character and find enjoyment in his travels and successes as the plot progresses.
Another character that we can look at in more detail would be Telemachus. Telemachus’ character arc is fulfilled and allows us to see his development throughout the course of the epic. At the beginning, he is seen as this feeble character, who is weeping over the absence of his father, yet the course of the epic allows the audience to see Telemachus flourish and develop new levels of confidence that allow him to take part in his own quests that allow him to find more news of Odysseus. Homer uses this idea of having two plots simultaneously to create intrigue and develop the character of Telemachus so that when he is united with his father we can see the vulnerability in their reunion, as well as the character now having the ability to stand up to the suitors. If the character was not completed then the plot would be awkward and unrealistic as the confidence that Telemachus attains is gradual and not a sudden revelation. Homer is clever in his story telling, however, as even in the battle scene, there are traces of fragility and anxiety as he is uncertain what to do with the spear in the suitor’s back. This shows that the character has not become over-powered but has rather developed, still recognisable by some of the traits we see in the opening of the poem. Including Telemachus and his development will also add to the production of a good movie as he develops from this shy and anxious boy, to a man who is ready to avenge his father, perhaps appealing more to the female audience. He has a genuine nature, yet still a firmness and resilience to not concede, making him a character that will resonate with a lot of the audience.
Homer’s inclusion of female characters would resonate strongly with the modern audience due to their strong and fierce personas, as well as their interesting interactions with Odysseus. Modern audiences glorify the strength of female heroines and the empowerment which they bring to the media. Penelope is a strong female character that pervades the whole of the Odyssey. Throughout the course of the epic, she does not stray away from her undying loyalty towards her absent husband. She has the same cunning as the protagonist himself, as she tricks both the suitors with the weaving trick and tricking Odysseus with the bed trick to test his identity, thus making for a perfect couple who empower one another and intrigue the audience. Penelope is perhaps the only female character in the epic that does not have a flaw, and thus allows us to feel more for her vulnerability and weeping for Odysseus to return. Her character alone and relationship would make for a good movie as there is this perfect balance between building up tension to the reunion between the two and the grief that the build up has caused her, as well as her cunning and ability to trick the suitors. Any members of the audience who delight themselves in romantic affairs will certainly be satisfied by the reunion of Odysseus and Penelope in book 23, unable to hold back the tears as we finally experience this cathartic reunion that has been building up throughout the whole of the epic. Some of the other female characters are rather empowering too and allow for an interesting narrative that would be easily translated to the screen.
Calypso’s ability to speak against the patriarchy lies deep within the roots for an empowered female character. The immortal has another side to her, lonely and bored, and thus leads to her motivations to keep Odysseus captured on her island. This fierceness combined with her unquenchable loneliness creates this complexity that shows both intrigue and will ultimately translate well to the screen. Circe is another female character that has this duplicitous nature to her and would allow the media industry to create an interesting and overall film. Her deceitfulness builds up tension as to the fate of Odysseus, leaving the audience in anticipation as to if she will turn the protagonist to a pig, like she did with his men, yet there is also this vulnerability in her when Odysseus “rushes” at her with his sword. She instantly crumbles beneath him and almost supplicates, a sudden change which leaves her willing to do what Odysseus asks her to do. This is interesting as, on the surface level, we have this strong female character, yet underneath we see this vulnerability and fear when it comes to a dominating hero (especially one who is unaffected by her enchantments). On the island of the Phaeacians, the female characters depicted are not as powerful as Calypso and Circe, yet are still well rounded female characters with their own personalities. Arete is this powerful queen, who is more of the decision-maker in comparison to Alcinous and ultimately subverts the patriarchy that was prominent in Homeric Greece. Nausicaa is one of the few female characters who has this sense of naivety and innocence, making her more likeable and relatable to the modern audience. She has small quirks and mannerisms, like her communication with Alcinous to get what she wants, that women in the contemporary audience would appreciate and enjoy seeing her presence on the screen.
The mystical elements that Homer includes, such as the gods and other mythical beings (like the cyclops), add another level to the intrigue and excitement that could be included in the production of the movie adaptation. Divine intervention and the oppositions between the gods both elevate Odysseus’ status as an ancient hero and is more interesting to the audience. The conflict between Athene and Poseidon’s intentions towards Odysseus build tension as we are unsure as to the outcome of the epic. If fate was not an important component within ancient Greece, then Odysseus would have most certainly been killed by Poseidon, much to the dismay of Athene. There are also instances of divine intervention, like Ino, which also further these ideas and would make an extremely interesting movie. It is not just the divine characters who create tension. Homer has included a variety of different creatures on Odysseus adventures to create suspense and intrigue. The cyclops is a perfect character in this respect, as he is both brutish yet caring. He holds no regard for Odysseus or his men, chewing to brutally murder and eat them, yet cares greatly for his sheep and makes sure that they have in order and milked everyday. Homer uses this to instil fear in the audience as they see the brutality of a creature so caring for something so weak and feeble. The inclusion of the lotus eaters creates a warning for the dangers of drugs and also poses as advice that can be carried through to the more contemporary audience and thus fits perfectly into a movie designed for the modern audience of a classic tale.
The arrogance of the suitors is perfectly depicted by Homer, making them the perfect villains for the story of the Odyssey. They spend all their time feasting and using Odysseus’ stock, not replacing any of it. We are introduced to them early on within the epic, witnessing their wicked behaviour and gluttony that affects both Telemachus and Penelope. Homer creates a sense of continuity throughout this, with the suitors portraying these same attributes to all characters they have an encounter with, including Odysseus in disguise. This allows the audience to gradually increase their disliking towards the characters and thus not feel as though their punishments were unjustified. Aside from the mythical creatures that kill Odysseus’ men, the suitors are the main antagonists that cause havoc in Ithaca, even plotting to kill a prince (a gross subversion of civic order). Antinous is the head of the suitors and thus justifies why his death comes first, an idea that we see quite clearly. He is also the first to speak and scorn, with Eurymachus a close second. This further builds tension as we see the build up towards the poetic justice that Homer serves.
Overall, all of the characters that Homer includes serve a great purpose and would allow the Odyssey to be a good film, however, it would be important to ensure that the acting was up to the correct standard and that the characters were distinct enough to create enough frustration towards the suitors and then the pathos for Telemachus when he is convinced that Odysseus is not coming back, as well as clearly separating the loyal slaves (like Eumaeus and Eurycleia) from the disloyal (Melantho and Melanthius).
Cinematically, the locations in the Odyssey will translate perfectly. All of the different locations differ and allow for a clear understanding in the change of scenery from book to book. Calypso’s island has sand and the cove, remote and described as tropical, contrasting greatly from Circe’s palace, that is surrounded by dense vegetation. Odysseus spots the palace due to a “wisp of smoke”, emphasising how remote the palace itself is in relation to the rest of the island as it is solely surrounded by forest. Calypso’s island and Circe’s palace are perfect contrasts to one another, creating a new scenic view to allow us to see more about the characters themselves. The desolation of Calypso’s island links perfectly into her characterisation and the loneliness which she expresses and tries to combat. Circe’s secrecy and hidden palace amidst the forest is indicative of the secrecy that Circe has, her deception for the initial portrayal of good xenia that is quickly compromised in place of her wicked enchanting. The barbarism of the Cyclops is depicted perfectly by the landscape and placement of his abode. The cave shows lack of civilisation and craftsmanship and thus is perfect for a character who does not cultivate his own land, nor have rules that deems him as part of a civilised society. Alcinous and the Phaeacians are described the semantic field of wealth and jewels, surrounded by gold. Along Odysseus’ journeys, the Phaeacians are perhaps the most xenial and generous people, having the wealth to have their palaces adorned with gold. Ithaca is described to be a rocky place, a little decrepit and run down, due to the poor care of the city. The king, Odysseus, has been absent for twenty years and his homeland was now overrun by ravaging suitors who show no regard for the state of the city. Telemachus was too young to be able to oversee the care and up keeping of Ithaca. The people of Ithaca are civilised and so it is clear to see the impact of the suitors, their almost barbaric behaviour has led to the downfall of Ithaca and thus the downfall of the city’s aesthetics. Unlike the different homes of the characters, Odysseus and his men also travel down to the Underworld, a completely different change in scenery. The Underworld is much darker in contrast and creates more tension. The scenery of the Underworld would translate well to the screen as it would be perfect for the suspenseful nature of the scene itself. The Underworld would contain multiple ghosts and spirits, further adding to this idea of suspense and tension. All of the different locations translate well to the screen and would make for a good film as there is a variety of contrasts in scenery, all of which have subtle links to the characters which inhabit them.
The plot of the Odyssey acts as a variety of different warnings for different things. Odysseus’ interactions with some of the immortal female characters link into the idea of the dangers of seduction. Infidelity became a large problem as Odysseus was unable to resist the prowess of the goddesses. Odysseus tried to excuse himself by saying that his heart was with Penelope, but provides a bad example for the audience as that is not an idea of a healthy and successful relationship. This would allow for a good film as it helps to perfectly emphasise the flaws in the hero of the epic. There is also the warning of the dangers of the sea, as shown by Odysseus’ many perils that occur while out at sea. Although prompted by Poseidon, we still see that Odysseus has many issues at sea that almost call for his death. He wished that he would rather die at Troy than suffer more in the hazards and dangers of the sea. Though it might potentially scare some of the more sea-sick audience, the inclusion of these dangers are vital to the plot of the Odyssey and emphasise the reason for some of the troubles that occur. Aside from the more negative side of the different dangers portrayed within the plot of the poem, there is also this prominent theme of heroism and the immortals. Odysseus heroism is clearly portrayed throughout the Odyssey, with his various encounters with all of the antagonists. There is the more quick-witted side of the hero with villains like Polyphemus and yet there is the more dominant and militant prowess with the restoration of justice in his household, and ultimately the death of the suitors. The immortals are vital to the plot, adding intrigue and another mystical element to the poem, and thus would lead to an exciting cinematic piece. The divine intervention helps to elevate Odysseus’ heroism, as the gods do not care too much for mortals, only interfering when it suits them. We do, however, see this favourable inclination towards Odysseus from Athene that helps to progress the plot forward and lean the plot in favour of the hero of the piece and thus makes Odysseus a worthy protagonist, and an enjoyable one at that.
Structurally, there are a few features of the Odyssey that would not translate well to screen. The long monologues of characters and irregular turn-taking would lead to awkward and convoluted conversations, not really making sense. Should the epic be edited slightly and some of the dialogue was made more realistic and smoothly, then the concept of the Odyssey would make for a good movie. The repetition of stock phrases and excessive use of epithets will most certainly become repetitive and boring. In the first book, Telemachus constantly starts his sentences with “my friend” an awkward and potentially irritating exchange, that would bore and frustrate the audience. The non-linear structure of the poem could become confusing and thus be a lot harder to follow in a cinematic feature, that is significantly shorter than the poem itself.
Despite the few features that are not suitable for direct translation to the movie screen, there are structural features that make the Odyssey and exciting literary text to translate. The epic opens in medias res, creating tension and excitement from the beginning. That is the start of the suspenseful build up to meeting the hero of the piece, as he is not introduced until the fifth book, where he is found crying on Calypso’s island. This anticlimax is almost comical and yet creates a sense of pathos for Odysseus, a concept that is developed throughout the whole of the Odyssey. The structure is designed to build up to the ultimate climax towards the end of the poem and so the audience waits in anticipation to see the slaughter of the suitors. As the piece is a poem, there is this underlying rhythm that flows into all of the dialogue and actions of the character, which would also allow for a musical score to frame the piece perfectly. The action from book nine to book twelve is all told in flashback, however, places the reader in the piece as though they were experiencing the perils in current time. This would encapsulate the audience and thus create for a good audience as it would distort their perception of time and then become a surprise when they are replaced back into the current time scene, in which Odysseus is sharing his story.
Overall, the Odyssey would make an extremely good movie, due to the build ups of tension and interesting characters that have intermingling storylines and character arcs, which allows for the best experience on the screen. We could not, however, take the text literally as there is too much convolution and confusion with the long speech and monologues. The Odyssey has many different levels of intrigue and tension that would ultimately create an exciting movie, should the production been done correctly.