The classic tale of The Odyssey by Homer has been replicated for centuries. In fact, one of Hollywood's best adaptation is the comedy “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” by the Cohen brothers. The Cohen brothers cleverly reconstructed The Odyssey with a 20th century twist. The film and the literary works provided a parallel journey of the main characters determination to return home. When analyzing the stories themes it had compelling correlations, which focused on perseverance and personal growth. O Brother, Where Art Thou explored new ways to experience The Odyssey's epic adventure through the eyes of cinematography. First, the Cohen brothers comedic masterpiece used inspirations from The Odyssey, and addressed serious cultural issues that were faced in the 20th century. O' Brother, Where Art Thou and The Odyssey, illustrated the political, social, and religious cultures of both historical eras. The film's cultural aspect featured a belligerent political campaign, unorganized KKK, slavery, baptisms, and new acquaintances from different social structures. The Odyssey focused its Greek cultural influences from the war of Troy, the polytheistic faith, animal sacrifices, and exploring new lands and people. These culture insights influenced how the poem and film were …show more content…
developed, and these cultural impacts cultivated the characters to become who they were. Even though the historical eras are different, our humanity is influenced by the results of our cultural environment. Furthermore, are the impeccable characteristics of the main characters Odysseus and Ulysses. Similar to the Odyssey, both men are trying to return home to their families with numerous obstacles in their path. The men had uncanny characteristics, for instance their natural leadership skills, a deep love for their wives, quick-witted mind, and determination. The characters personal conflicts and endurance gave audiences a hero they could relate too. Odysseus and Ulysses, strived in their efforts when faced with danger along their journey, and they persevered despite all barriers. Also, the film explored inventive ways to incorporate The Odyssey characters into it's modern tale. Instead of mythical creatures or Gods, the film represented them as ordinary people we can relate to from our era. The film updated their characters to a more modern day culture, such as the blind railroad guide that speaks of their future could be compared to Tiresias from the land of the dead. There were obvious comparisons, such as the Sirens from The Odyssey, and the films version of three women in river singing a enchanting song to mesmerize the men to sleep. The best representation of the film is the fast talking salesman Big Dan Teague that portrays the giant cyclopes Polyphemus. The Cohen brothers film presented their characters to a setting of a realistic point of view. In addition, the themes of the literary works and film can be perceived to be one in the same, such as their perseverance and personal growth.
The characters demonstrated astounding perseverance even though, they have suffered the temptations of the world, dangerous conditions, and hopelessness when all was lost. When analyzing the theme of personal growth the characters appeared narcissistic, but as the journey persisted they manifested to acts of selflessness. The stories personal growth and perseverance, evolved to a state of social maturity for their characters. The Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou themes identified with personal defeat, and the willfulness to experience new life
journeys. In closing, The Odyssey poem evoke centuries of replicated stories similar to Homer's classic tale. The film has shown that two different stories centuries apart can be one in the same journey. The stories explored a journey to open minds to new cultures, perseverance, and conquer all obstacles. The films imaginary works and poem message is clear, it does not matter what times we lived in or cultural differences, but it is about returning home safely to family. Whether it is the film or poem, the classic story of one man's journey home inspires one to appreciate new life experiences.
The film O brother, where art thou? is set in the Great Depression of the 1930’s and emphasizes the struggle between the upper and lower classes by using a variety of cinematic devices. Through the use of these cinematic devices and comedic relief the realities of the Depression are viewed without creating a stark, melancholy, documentary-styled film. Examples in this film of these cinematic devices used to show these realities include:
Pop culture’s mythology theory is used in many forms of media today, from The Legend of Zelda in video games to “Harry Potter in books. One example of usage of the mythology theory is the 1996 movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou? directed by Joel Coen. This movie is based off Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey.” There are many similarities between the two, yet at the same time, there are many differences.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus portrays an important trait to the story, perseverance. His perseverance really stands out as something that he has and always will have. On his long journey home, he never gives up and just stays where he is, no matter how tempting. He always manages to push through and keep getting closer to his goal of returning home. An example of when he does this is when he is faced with the challenge of getting past Skylla and Kharybdis. He knows that either path will kill at least some of his men and possibly him, but he knows he has to keep going. "And all this time,/ in travail, sobbing, gaining on the current,/ we rowed into the strait---Skylla to port/ and on our starboard beam Kharybdis, dire/ gorge of the salt sea tide." (Homer, 12. 301-305). In O Brother, Where Art Thou, Everett also showed his perseverance. While trying to get back to his wife, he also faces many obstacles that he must get through. There were many people and things keeping him from where he was going, but he pushed through and got there anyway. His greatest obstacle to get through was when he came upon the sirens. He went down to the river and the sirens got the men drunk enough to fall asleep. While asleep, Pete was turned in by the sirens, but the other men hadn't been turned in yet. They woke up and were forced to get out of there as fast as they could with a frog they thought was Pete. Delmar wanted to stay and try to change Pete back but Everett told him they needed to persevere and keep going, and they did. Another trait that both of these men show in their stories is their cleverness. Odysseus show...
Homer’s Odyssey is the iconic story of a man’s episodic journey home. The film, O Brother Where Art Thou, is a justifiable homage to the Odyssey because of the many parallels between some of the major characters depicted in the movie and the epic poem. The movie is set in the 1930s in the state of Mississippi, changing the characters in social demeanor, but retaining their motivation and major plot points.
Brother, Where Art Thou? These stories share crucial components of the hero’s journey whether it be “crossing the first threshold,” where the main characters of both stories begin their long adventure that transforms them into heroes; “the supreme ordeal,” where the main characters are both deprived of the opportunity to get home sooner; or “return with elixir,” where Odysseus and Ulysses both return to their homes alive from the comfort of their wives. In their major plot points, the novel The Odyssey and the motion picture O Brother convey obvious similarities in key elements of their heroes’ journeys such as “crossing the first threshold,” “the supreme ordeal,” and “return with elixir.” Firstly, the main characters of both stories, Odysseus and Ulysses, share qualities of the “crossing the first threshold” that quite clearly show the similarities in these stories.
“O muse! Sing in me, and through me tell the story...Of that man skilled in all the ways of contending...A wanderer, harried for years on end…” (Homer). These are the opening words of The Odyssey. This is also in the opening scene of O Brother Where Art Thou?. O Brother is a reception of the revered story of Odysseus’ journey with a bit of a twist. The works have similarities that only a person well informed of the Odyssey could see. The Odyssey and O Brother highlight the trials of the main character’s journeys. While the Odyssey was written in the eighth century, O Brother is set during the 1930s in the deep south. Each of the trials that the characters face is supposed to make them quit their journey, but they proceed with greater determination.
Many of the character have the same characteristics in the Odyssey and O brother. An examples of this is found between Odysseus and Everett. The main goal for both of these characters throughout the story is returning to their family, but there is many incidents before their goal is achieved. Both protagonists believe that they are the greatest and that they don’t need any help from the Gods. This is shown because Odysseus does not sacrifice
The film O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a reinterpretation of the epic poem The Odyssey. The Coen brothers, writers and directors of the film, did not over analyze their representation. “It just sort of occurred to us after we’d gotten into it somewhat that it was a story about someone going home, and sort of episodic in nature, and it kind of evolved into that,” says Joel Coen in Blood Siblings, “It’s very loosely and very sort of unseriously based on The Odyssey” (Woods 32). O Brother, Where Art Thou? contains ideas from The Odyssey for the sake of modernization and entertainment of an audience that comprehends the allusions to the epic. The Coen brothers utilize elements of Homer’s The Odyssey to improve and to give direction to O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a reinterpretation which was made simply to show that an epic-adventure such as The Odyssey could be modernized to apply to modern times.
In both Homer’s The Odyssey and the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? the audience is given an opportunity to experience a spectacular adventure, filled with not only the sense of journey, but also the senses of peril and excitement. A tale about a Greek hero being compared to a film set in Middle America starring three jail-escapees seems rather far-fetched. However, upon closer inspection, both actually share a lot in common. The Odyssey stars Odysseus, a man famous for his heroics in the Trojan War. O Brother, Where Art Thou? shows a bit of a contrast by starring Ulysses, a former convict who escaped and began looking for “A Treasure”. So by default, one would assume that that these two stories would be completely different. However, it ends up being quite the opposite. The two stories are so remarkably alike that it is almost staggering. However, it may not just be simple similarities that make the two so alike. The main reasons why the two characters are so alike are not so much the actions that they take, as oppose to the overall human emotional aspect of the two pieces of work. For example, we see that both Odysseus and Ulysses are invested in their lives with their families, and as such, they never have a moment where they stop thinking about the lives they used to live. Both characters are extremely alike in terms of thoughts, skills, and experiences. They are both profound tacticians, as well as being rather strong and good looking men. So in the end, both of these men have plenty in common on the emotional and psychological levels.
Stories like The Odyssey remind readers that even the toughest people have weak spots. It is easy to be blinded by the strength and valor these heroes display and forget that everyone has pitfalls. It can prove refreshing to be reminded that even the most thick-skinned people are just humans too. Seeing a hero make questionable decisions or act on their emotions can be reassuring, especially to be reminded that hero is not a synonym for perfect. This effect is why these stories have been popular for
In “ The Odyssey ” by homer Odysseus goes on a journey to get home after twenty years the trojan war. The “ Hero’s Journey “ by Joseph Campbell represents the journey the hero's take on their journey as a hole in the story. The main parts of most stories include twelve parts to the hero's journey and some additional points.. The three parts of the hero's journey supernatural aid, test and supreme ordeal , and reward and journey home. These are some of the most important parts of the odyssey.
Tracy, Stephen V., The story of the Odyssey. Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, c1990. PA4167 .T7 1990
Many diverse cultures are found in every corner of the world. Every culture is defined by its traditions and values. The film “The Odyssey,” depicts the culture of the ancient Greeks where it illustrates the life of a man, Odysseus, who has gone on a journey just to get back to his kingdom. Many values and traditions could be identified through the path of the journey. Some elements that are found important to the Greeks are the music, the religion, and the duty to the kingdom.
The Odyssey is filled with emotion and adventure. Homer’s ability to show and give the reader a visual of each and every scene gives the story its unbelievable significance. To all the people who read his work there is something to be captured within every sentence, each one different in its own, unique way. Through tales of courage and defeat, friendship and love this book tells of all the values within the life of a single, solitary man, and his journey to attain what is true and dear to him. And this journey is known to all of us as The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a test of human devotion and trust through the gods, the mortals, and the obstacles through which they venture. No matter where they go or what they do, humans are tested for certain characteristics everyday of their lives, whether they realize it or not; and The Odyssey is just one of those many miraculous tests.
In conclusion, the “Odyssey” is one of the greatest literary works ever known and this literary analysis should help the reader to understand the important components of the novel such as theme, characters, relationships, symbols, motifs, literary devices, and tone.