If Homer wrote the epic poem The Odyssey, he did so almost 3,000 years ago. I write if Homer wrote it because there are those who say he did not. Also the 3,000 years ago not certain. Experts say the poem itself was written by Homer sometime between 1200 and 800 BC. The variable in the centuries because calendars were not kept then.
I have had the Odyssey experience twice in my life. The first time in a one semester college course concerning Homer which covered The Odyssey and The Iliad in detail. A difficult course.
The second time yesterday when I viewed The Odyssey movie at the Tropic Cinema in Key West. The theater garnered some donors and has been able to reopen. A good thing!
So many facts to share. Order a problem. However, you will receive all my thoughts though jumbled they may be on occasion.
The movie was released this summer. Sure to win some Academy Awards. Such does not necessarily mean I enjoyed it. The movie was similar to my college course in that it was tedious. The movie seven minutes short of three hours. Regardless of a Homer epic, no movie should be that long.
Many stars involved. So many that I will only mention two.
The star who played the role of Odysseus was Matt Damon. A terrific job. Difficult. Physical. He will possibly be the Academy Award Winner for Best Actor the next time around. He played the King of Ithaca.
Anne Hathaway played his wife Penelope the Queen. During her husband’s 20 year absence, males galore wished to marry her assuming Odysseus was dead. They wanted Ithaca’s strength and money.
Christopher Nolan the person who took the poem and made it into a movie. He was producer, director and also wrote the movie. His wife Emma Thomas assisted as Producer.
The plot’s focus is on Odysseus trying to find his way home following the Trojan War. He was lost. Between the Trojan War and he trying to get home, he was away from Ithaca for 20 years. Again the movie was not so much about the Trojan War. It can best be described as a sequel to the Trojan War. The many years trip home was everything.
The movie’s box office was an immediate success. It earned $1.77 billon dollars in a few short weeks following its opening.
The movie was not boring. Merely too long. I never dozed. Nor was I sitting on the edge of my seat. Would I recommend it? No, unless you are an historical freak and would not miss it. I finally got to see it because I am an historical freak. Majored in history in college.
Some of my college learned recollections returned because of seeing the film and reading up all these year’s later of things I learned in college. I share some with you.
Homer’s original Odyssey contained 24 chapters. A chapter in Homer’s day and today very different. I have never been able to figure it out. I have learned to express it numerically in words.
Homer’s Greek rendition totaled 120,000 words.
Roughly 121,365 words in the various English translations. Works out to about 560 pages to be read.
Little is known about Homer. Too far back in time. It is thought he was born on the coast of Asia Minor. He is known for his epic poems. The best of course The Odyssey and The Iliad.
It is strongly believed Homer was blind. In The Odyssey there is the character Demodoka who was a blind poet and close friend to Odysseus. Many of the busts and statues to honor Homer have his eyes left blank. They are without eyes.
So much for Homer and The Odyssey. Exercise your own judgment whether you wish to view it. The decision is six of one and a half dozen of another.
Enjoy your day!