Introduction
Homer’s The Odyssey, a Greek literary masterpiece, has transcended its era to become a global literary icon. This epic of adventure, heroism, and human nature has lived over millennia resonating with fresh generations and varied civilizations. Its legendary appeal and universal search for identity and belonging inspired countless modern adaptations. Such modern adaptations being literary works, vibrant films, and plays that go beyond tribute to the original epic. They boldly reimagine Homer’s story, giving the classic characters and themes fresh life. These creative works exhibit “The Odyssey’s adaptability to diverse cultures and times. These versions enable a new discussion with the epic that reinforces its historical significance and highlights its current relevance and impact in our continuously changing world. This investigation of modern adaptations affirms “The Odyssey’s legacy as a source of artistic inspiration and a mirror reflecting the human experience.
In Emily Wilson’s profound reimagining of The Odyssey, the primary focus my group brings into the spotlight are the gender stereotypes occurring for the women characters even though it affects men as well. We think that highlighting women in The Odyssey is important since back in that time, representation was nonexistent. Wilson’s rendition brings to surface the problems and restrictions that affected women such as Athena, Penelope, Calypso, Circe, and the Sirens. Let it be from distinguishing single words such as “wisdom” instead of “knowledge” or “mouth” instead of “lips”, each word has deeper meaning that Wilson shares with us. We will go over the problems and obligations that women face on a day to day basis solely because of their Gender.
Interactive Map:
Case Studies
While on the discussion of gender, our group found it especially important to discuss the female characters in depth. Athena was chosen for her goddess status along with her inspirational attitude and love for Odysseus. Penelope was chosen since she is the “end goal” for Odysseus to reach, and her struggle is one of the most obvious. Calypso was chosen since, although she is a goddess, she is treated like an outcast. Since her role in the story was portrayed as a goddess who imprisoned Odysseus, we thought it was important to discover more about her character. Lastly, we chose the Sirens to highlight how things can be portrayed through text and what image we can hold in our heads about something that is given no physical characteristics.
Athena:
In this image, we see Athena and Telemachus. This image represents Athena’s story element to help multiple characters, not just Odysseus. Athena could be seen as the rock of this story. She’s a character for others to lean on and receive advice. Athena helping Telemachus means a lot to Telemachus’ well-being. One must put themselves in Telemachus’ shoes. Telemachus’ dad has been gone for years, his mother is depressed and powerless, and all these greedy suitors are drinking the place dry. All the while, Telemachus is just a scared little kid. If he tried to do anything crazy, the suitors would kill him. That being said, Telemachus needs the wisdom of Athena just as bad as Odysseus needs it. One can notice Telemachus’ desperation in the image. Look at his body language. You see how he’s leaning over Athena and you know he’s saying “I really need some help here, ma’am.”? That is saying something about Telemachus’ mental state. Look at his eyes. They remind one of a dog needing some food. Now, one must observe Athena in the image. Her face gives pure calmness to the situation. That’s because that’s how you’re supposed to be as a mentor. You’re supposed to recognize that stressful situations can happen, but cowering behind various shields isn’t going to get you anywhere. You can also see with Athena’s right hand that she’s attempting to guide Telemachus down the right path. At this point, Telemachus’ anxieties are at a maximum. He doesn’t know whether to hide, cry for help, try to kill the suitors himself, or try anything else because it’s looking to him that all options are leading to pain for both him and Penelope. He’s looking in the future instead of the present which is why he’s feeling all this stress. Athena, in the image, is clearly saying “Hey, man, it’s okay to just breathe for a second. Yes, you do have this problem on your hands. That being said, freaking out about everything isn’t going to help anyone. Just chill and assess, my friend.” Furthermore, one must observe the background of the image. They are in nature and it looks like they’re in a more private location. This is because they’re discussing serious matters, so they can’t be in a populated place because walls have ears. This image also has to do with gender in that genders rely on each other for help. There’s a division sometimes where some feel that certain genders carry certain problems that can only be helped via advice from certain genders. However, we’re all human and must rely on each other for help, man or woman. In this situation, Telemachus is seeking guidance from Athena which Athena graciously gives. It goes against the sexist view of “it’s the man’s job to fix everything” which shows that this story is way ahead of its time.
After some extensive research, I can confirm that the meaning behind this image is close to what I was saying about Athena being a master of the wisdom persuasion. As it turns out, Athena in the image is giving Telemachus a pep talk about how he shouldn’t try to live up to his father. This shines a light on a problem that many people face today. Some people have parents who are considered very high in society. This puts the idea in people’s heads that they have to live up to that instead of just embracing their uniqueness.
This image has a simple background because its intended focus is the characters. Furthermore, one can notice that Athena and Telemachus are wearing similar colors. This shows that Telemachus is warming up to Athena and her wisdom. One changing their clothing to resemble someone else is always a sign of respect and duty to that person. It’s like when Eleven started dressing like Hopper in Stranger Things. This is a powerful image that one should look at with attentive eyes.
Penelope:
In book 19 of the Odyssey, Odysseus has finally returned home, but he is unrecognizable to the eyes of Penelope. Although Odysseus was dirty, in rags, and did not look like his past self, Penelope still showed him kindness and showed great kindness to him in hopes that he would have any information about Odysseus. Odysseus is planning with Telemachus on how they can kill all of the suitors. During their talk, Penelope makes her way downstairs with her servants. In more detail, Penelope is compared to Artemis or golden Aphrodite as she is entering the room. From Odysseus’ perspective, I could only imagine that he is beginning to believe that his difficult journey was worth it to see his beautiful wife again. After one of the servants scolds Odysseus for staying around since he looked homeless, Odysseus snaps back. This leads to Penelope asking where he is from and what he is doing in Ithaca. After Odysseus’ response, Penelope goes on with a passage that describes her missing of her long lost husband and how she cannot fend off the suitors any longer. Penelope states how when Odysseus left, her strength and beauty had been destroyed. As the reader, you cannot help but feel deep sorrow for her since it is very clear that both of them are immensely in love, but they had to be separated for so long. She describes her heart as melting, and that only deepens the fact that she is in so much pain being separated from Odysseus. Also, when talking about her slaves’ betrayal, she refers to them as dogs for the second time which reinforces the fact that Penelope does not value them as humans but rather animals. Penelope’s speech in short goes over how she does not want to remarry, but she has run out of options and can’t hope for Odysseus to come home any longer even if it does destroy her on the inside.
Penelope very clearly does not want to remarry, but with her time running out, we get a deeper dive into her feelings about what was taken away from her. In the first sentence of the explanation, Penelope states, “Well, stranger, the deathless gods destroyed my strength and my beauty the day the greeks went marching off to Troy, and my Odysseus went off with them” (pg 428, Wilson, 124-127) Simply stating the word stranger to Odysseus shows a lot of depth into Penelope. It shows how Penelope, although deeply missing Odysseus, cannot recognize that he is sitting right before her. She might only remember Odysseus based off of past his actions and not even his appearance because it has been so long apart. She also very clearly has disdain for the gods for taking him away from her in the war. She calls the gods deathless, maybe mocking them in a way since she herself has been made weak because of them while they wreak the spoils of her suffering. Lastly, in relation to the Greeks marching off and Odysseus being there with them, it shows a view of respect for the men who had gone. Although it was the worst thing that had happened to her, she still values Odysseus as a brave and heroic man even though he did leave her. Later in the passage Penelope explains, “I have no more ideas, and I cannot fend off a marriage anymore” (pg 429, Wilson, 155-156). This shows a deep fear of helplessness in Penelope. Although she does not want to remarry, she quite literally cannot stop it any longer since those around her are becoming restless. Especially by being a woman, her gender is blocking others from listening to her with a level of respect that is only shown to men. She is in an inescapable situation, and cannot even help herself.
I could go deeper in depth for the whole speech, but in those 2 sentences alone, we learn a lot about Penelope’s deeper feelings. She has been through so much because of Odysseus’ leaving, yet she still praises him and does not blame him at all for anything that has happened. Instead she blames the gods, the war, and her unfaithful slaves for example. Odysseus can do no wrong in her eyes, and that is how I see how truly in love with him she is. Penelope is trapped though, and it is destroying not only her heart, but it’s destroying her hope.
Calypso:
Introduction- In Book 1 of the Odyssey, we first get introduced to Calypso, who is an immortal goddess who holds Odysseus captive on her island and she compels him into becoming her lover. But it’s not until we reach book 5 where we officially see Calypso and the type of character she plays in the book and how others perceive her and the type of power Calypso holds. In Book 5 Hermes comes to the island of Ogygia where Calypso lives also where she is holding Odysseus hostage for the past seven years and gives her the direct order from Zeus that she must let Odysseus go and let him return to Ithaca. As she is receiving the order from Hermes you can see her starting to stand up for herself but as she is in the process of doing that she realizes she can’t because of the gender roles that are set into place of being a goddess.
Analysis- On pages 117-145 of book five, page 183 includes significant language that illustrates Calypso as someone trying to stand up for herself. Yet, she can’t because she is a woman, and there are gender roles that are set into place, as well as the hierarchy. The following hierarchy starts with the gods at the top; next is the mortal men, followed by the goddesses, and ending with the mortal women. Furthermore, “ Calypso shuddered and let fly at him. “You cruel, jealous gods You bear a grudge whenever any goddess that takes a man to sleep with as a lower in her bed. Just so the gods who live at ease were angry”. I feel this quote does a great job demonstrating how the men control women in this book and have no power or voice in certain situations. For example, when Hermes gives Calypso an order from Zeus that she needs to let Odysseus go, I feel like it’s a double standard because, throughout the books, you can see men take women for themselves all the time for pleasure or simply because they want to, and they are allowed to do so. But once a woman does it, she is in so much trouble for it and gets punished by one of the gods or mortal men taking him away from her. So why can’t Calypso do it and get away with it? But if a god or mortal man can do it all the time and get away with the action and no one questions them what they are doing, but as soon as a woman does the same thing, they are punished for it.
Conclusion- In book 5, we get to see what being a woman is like in the book; take Calypso, for example. We get to see how much control and power the gods and mortal men have over the goddess, especially Calypso, when she is given the order from Zeus to let Odysseus. As well as not being able to argue for letting Odysseus go because of the hierarchy that takes place that prevents Calypso from having a voice or decision in letting Odysseus go or not. In addition, Even if Calypso has a valid argument against the order.
Sirens:
The Sirens, depicted in The Odyssey as enticing and dangerous female monsters, exemplify the complicated and frequently contradictory gender roles that women were expected to play in ancient Greek culture. The Sirens are legendary monsters from Homer’s epic work The Odyssey. They are characterized as beautiful women with enchanting voices who sing songs that promise knowledge and pleasure, luring sailors to their doom. On their way home from the Trojan War, Odysseus and his company encounter the Sirens. Odysseus is aware of the Sirens’ threat and urges his crew to block their ears with wax and bind him to the mast so he cannot direct the ship towards them. Odysseus, on the other hand, is so fascinated by the Sirens’ song that he begs his crew to release him. Only the intervention of Odysseus’ second-in-command, Eurylochus, keeps him from succumbing to the Sirens’ seduction.
The following passage from The Odyssey describes Odysseus’ reaction to the Sirens’ song: “As for me, when I heard their voices, I was filled with longing, and I commanded Eurylochus to lose me, but he and the others bound me with still stronger chains. And when we had sailed past them, and their voices could no longer be heard, my men unloose me from my bonds.” (Book 12, lines 166-174)
Odysseus admits to being “filled with longing” when he heard the Sirens’ song. This shows that, while being aware of the Sirens’ danger, he remains susceptible to their appeal. Odysseus’ desire for the Sirens might be viewed in several ways. On one level, it could just be his human yearning for pleasure and knowledge. Odysseus is obviously enticed by the Sirens’ promises of both of these things. Odysseus’ longing for the Sirens may also indicate his desire for the feminine on another level. The Sirens are gorgeous and seductive beings, and Odysseus is enamored with their power.
Odysseus’ longing for the Sirens, on the other hand, is perilous. The Sirens are notorious for luring sailors to their deaths, and Odysseus is well aware of this danger. Despite this, he still wants to hear their song. This shows that Odysseus is fighting with his own inner demons and is drawn to the Sirens despite knowing they are harmful. The story continues with Odysseus pleading with Eurylochus to “loosen” him. This shows that Odysseus is having difficulty controlling his own desires. He is so enthralled by the Sirens’ music that he is willing to put his life in danger to hear it. However, Eurylochus and the rest of the crew refuse to release Odysseus. They are aware that the Sirens are harmful and they are determined to keep him safe. The trip concludes with Odysseus’ crew releasing him from his bindings after sailing through the Sirens. This implies that Odysseus can only avoid the Sirens’ temptation with the assistance of others. He is not powerful enough to stand up to them on his own.
The passage is notable because it demonstrates the complicated and frequently contradictory gender roles that ancient Greek women were required to assume. Women were expected to be beautiful, seductive, and obedient on the one hand. This is how The Odyssey depicts the Sirens. Women, on the other hand, were both feared and distrusted. The Sirens are terrible monsters who seduce sailors and lead them to their doom. This implies that ancient Greek culture had a mixed attitude toward women. They were both feared and admired. The verse is particularly crucial in that it depicts Odysseus’ internal strife. Odysseus is a brave and resourceful hero, but he is also prone to succumbing to temptation. He is captivated by the Sirens despite knowing they are harmful. This implies that Odysseus is not a faultless hero. He is human, and he fights with his own flaws.
In conclusion, the passage from The Odyssey that describes Odysseus’ reaction to the Sirens is significant because it reveals the complex and often contradictory gender roles that women were expected to play in ancient Greek society. It also reveals Odysseus’ own inner conflict. Odysseus is a strong and resourceful hero, but he is also susceptible to temptation. He is drawn to the Sirens even though he knows they are dangerous. This suggests that Odysseus is not a perfect hero. He is human, and he struggles with his own weaknesses.
Our Voices
Our group decided to discuss a mixture of literature and music for our present day outlets to help better our understanding of The Odyssey. A commonality in The Odyssey is the suppression of female figures and voices. As a group we tried to find many different ways to show the other sides of the characters to a greater depth. Gender in Greek mythology is very one sided since the writers back in that day were exclusively men. Since this is so, the women in Greek mythology suffer a great deal. The topic of gender is very prevalent in today’s culture because equality between genders is a prevalent point of discussion. From directly correlated writings to The Odyssey such as The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood to connecting a popular song to Athena, there are many different ways we can connect modern culture to The Odyssey. Below, we discussed an explanation to better understand how gender is viewed in today’s society rather than ancient Greece.
The Feminine Voice in “Circe” by Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller’s novel “Circe” represents a groundbreaking reinterpretation of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” reimagined through a distinctly contemporary and feminist lens. Instead of the epic’s male protagonist, Miller casts Circe, a minor but compelling figure in Homer’s tale (Wilson, 2018). Circe in Miller’s story becomes a complicated protagonist instead of an enchanter or sidekick to Odysseus. The narrative meticulously analyzes her past, integrating themes of identity, empowerment, and transformation. Miller’s Circe subverts Greek mythology’s depiction of women as seducers, passive victims, or silent bystanders overshadowed by male heroism and conquest.
Miller gives Circe a voice and agency, reclaiming the story for a marginalized figure and inviting readers to rethink “The Odyssey” from a new angle. This approach illuminates the epic’s female figures’ often-unheard stories and muted voices, creating an inclusive narrative that reflects their challenges and strength. Circe’s eyes transform “The Odyssey” into a more sophisticated and thorough story that praises its underappreciated characters. This work pays tribute to the original epic and boldly asserts the necessity for diverse and complex representations in classical literature, inviting a deeper and more discerning understanding of these ancient tales.
Contemporary Setting in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
A stunningly inventive interpretation of “The Odyssey,” set in the 1930s American South, is the Coen Brothers’ “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” This translation masterfully blends Homer’s epic themes with the Great Depression’s unique culture and history, creating a story that honors and departs from the ancient source (Thou, 2004). The film follows Ulysses Everett McGill, whose voyage resembles Odysseus’ but is rooted in 1930s American society. The Coen Brothers brilliantly integrate American mythology, Southern Gothic tradition, and the era’s historical facts to create a cinematic tapestry that honors the original epic while standing on its own. This adaptation captures “The Odyssey’s theme of human endurance in the face of tremendous circumstances and critiques 1930s social and political processes.
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” shows the epic’s universal appeal by reimagining Odysseus’s trip in a different time and place. The film’s ability to compare Odysseus’ ancient world to the Great Depression-era American South shows “The Odyssey’s” eternal nature. It reintroduces Homer to modern audiences in a sympathetic and thought-provoking way. This imaginative retelling revitalizes and enriches the old story, encouraging a deeper and more complex investigation of its themes in current culture.
Critical Perspectives: Embracing Diversity and Modernity
The many modern adaptations of Homer’s “The Odyssey” show the epic’s versatility and relevance. These interpretations go beyond retelling to engage with the source text in dialogue. Conversations that analyze, expand, and illuminate the epic are active reflections. Modern interpretations of “The Odyssey” encourage audiences to connect with it in multiple ways by blending voices, perspectives, and places. This method encourages critical involvement, challenging epic narratives and concepts. Contemporary renditions illuminate the ancient story’s themes and their relevance to today.
This dynamic treatment of “The Odyssey” goes beyond academic curiosity to examine how timeless stories can be reworked to confront present social challenges, cultural upheavals, and ethical questions. These versions invite us to rethink the epic by embracing variety and modernity. They challenge traditional views of heroism, adventure, and the human condition as depicted in “The Odyssey.” This view makes the epic a living narrative that reflects modern life’s intricacies and ambiguities. “The Odyssey” is remade and rediscovered by each generation through this continuing debate.
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Throughout the Odyssey, we are introduced to many different characters, most of which are not given a background explanation of who they are. Penelope, although we learn much about her, is more or less only perceived as the wife of Odysseus, and much less as her own person. The Penelopiad written by Margaret Atwood, however, brings into daylight the full story of who Penelope is, and it shows deeper thought into why she acts as she does. I believe that this novel is important because it helps the reader understand that each of these characters has a whole life revolving around themselves. It also brings a feminist view to The Odyssey which is seen as a very objectified text. Instead of only being seen as a “perfect” housewife in the Odyssey, you learn more about her human side which is not meant to be perfect. Being a wife in Greece was a hardship, and Atwood did a great job in making that understood. `
The Odyssey fails to represent a lot of the struggles that Penelope has to endure while waiting for Odysseus to come back home. Although it is very clear that the struggle is there, Homer never fully addresses it. There is mention of Penelope’s pain but only in the context of fighting off the suitors or in the longing for Odysseus to come back home. In the Penelopiad, Atwood gives perspective on how being a woman at all during that time period was difficult. The point of view in the text is from only women, who being Penelope and 12 slave girls. Another aspect of ancient Greek culture that Atwood represents is the battle of women in society. The Odyssey does not comment on how women are based on what they can give into a relationship. The reason that so many suitors are after Penelope is because of her wealth. This is just one of the many overlooked themes throughout the Odyssey that the Penelopiad brings to light.
The Penelopiad gives a whole new perspective to Penelope. Now with this new perspective, Penelope seems like a whole character of her own rather than Odysseus’s wife. Outside media sources give a broad perspective on the Odyssey as a whole. Instead of being trapped in a cycle of Odysseus being the center of the entire book, we can see the broader sides of things in the book. Even though the text is revolved around Odysseus, different sources give glimpses on who other characters are and why they act the way they do. There are many instances in which we as the reader lose the viewpoint of everyone else. The Penelopiad did a great job at expressing the gender discrimination that is all throughout the Odyssey. Addressing it, though, helps us as the reader notices it and helps us understand why.
“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
Athena sticks out as the main motivator in The Odyssey. She is the Mickey to Odysseus’s Rocky. In Rachel Platten’s 2015 hit “Fight Song”, there are quite a few lyrics that speak true to Athena’s character. The song doesn’t just cover what Athena feels on the inside; it also covers what she witnesses in the story on the outside. The opening lyrics in the song are “like a small boat on the ocean, sending big waves into motion”(Platten) When one is reading the Odyssey, who has a small boat and is dealing with the big waves? That’s right, Odysseus! While Athena is fighting her own battles, she notices a man struggling and decides to help him with his battles, too. That speaks volumes about Athena’s strength. Athena doesn’t just help Odysseus to help Odysseus. She also intends to show the other gods that she’s a powerhouse fighter who would rather spend time doing deeds for herself and others, rather than sitting back in the jacuzzi of greed that lots of the Greek gods like to do. (Looking at you, Dionysus.) One must listen to Fight Song when Platten sings “I will scream them loud tonight! Can you hear my voice this time?” This lyric has multiple meanings to the story. In one way, it’s Athena talking to Odysseus and asking him if he can hear her guiding voice. In another way, it could be seen as a statement of female empowerment to the other Greek gods. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Ares, and the other male gods love to bathe in their popularity and “supreme importance”. With this lyric, Athena is showing the other gods that she’s helping Odysseus and thus showing that she’s putting her god powers to good use. She’s doing what the gods should be doing. She’s setting an example. In this sense, however, the lyric doesn’t do Athena complete justice. From what Athena’s done with her determination, she shouldn’t have to ASK to hear anyone’s voice. They should be listening to a strong character like herself. Speaking of determination, another lyric in the song is “Still believe, yeah, I still believe” So many characters in The Odyssey lose hope. Some of Odysseus’ men stay with the lotus-eaters. Penelope has doubts about whether her husband will come back and suffers from the likely possibility of having to choose one of the greedy suitors. Telemachus has waning confidence throughout the story. Who’s the character who never loses hope? That’s right, Athena! She not only motivates herself but Odysseus and Telemachus as well! She still believes even when it seems that the belief should be lost.
Fight Song captures a unique personal perspective of Athena that the book doesn’t touch on as strongly. There’s the lyric “Losing friends and I’m chasing sleep, Everybody’s worried about me” Seeing how Poseidon was cursing Odysseus and the other gods weren’t taking so kindly to him, it’s a big step out of Athena’s comfort zone to be helping him. She was going to great lengths to help him. She was disguising herself and doing all sorts of spy shenanigans so the other gods would be off her tail.
If there was a narrative with a more Athena-centered perspective, the story would be a lot more interesting. I feel that people would root for Athena more because she’s got all the resilience. Odysseus is cool, but he’s got a lot of issues that make him a bit unlikeable. Get a Cyclops to curse you just because you want him to know you got the drop on him? He got the drop on all your men from that! An Athena-centered story would be more complex. If one could see her meetings with the other gods, that would be guaranteed fireworks.
Conclusion
Contemporary adaptations of Homer’s “The Odyssey” bridge the ancient world of Greek epic poetry to modern audiences. Creative reinterpretations revive and redefine remarkable stories, adding new meanings, various views, and compelling issues. Modern glasses reimagine “The Odyssey” and allow each generation to find its own connection to the epic. This constant reinvention and research deepen our understanding and admiration of Homer’s work, exposing its complexity and ability to transcend time and culture. These adaptations show us how “The Odyssey” continues to resonate in our increasingly diverse and dynamic world. Modern interpretations actively engage with the original text, creating an ever-changing story that resonates with contemporary concerns and depicts human complexity. Thus, “The Odyssey” remains enthralling, inspiring, and challenging, cementing its place as an immortal epic that keeps evolving in the human imagination.
Bibliography
Atwood, Margaret. “The Penelopiad”, 2005
Platten, Rachel. “Fight Song”, February 19, 2015
Beard, Mary. “Women and Power: A Manifesto”, 2017
Vega, Suzanne. “Calypso”, April 1987