The Odyssey: The Original Fantasy and Nolan's New Film

Julia Golding returns home for the ninth season of Mythmakers by looking at literature’s first famous homecoming king: Odysseus. Beginning with a brief survey of Homer’s original Odyssey, Julia explores what makes this ancient epic feel like one of the original fantasy stories, as well as the many books and retellings it has inspired through the ages.

She then turns to the new Nolan film, noting some key differences from the original poem and considering how the story has been reshaped for the screen. There is much to praise, but Julia also has one major difference with the filmmaker—one that, for her, makes this a good film rather than a great one.

Listen in to hear Julia’s verdict, and let us know whether you agree.

00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Odyssey

00:39 Who Was Homer? The Mystery Behind the Epic

01:17 Reading The Odyssey: Structure and Dactylic Hexameter

02:23 The Plot and Themes: Homecoming, Hospitality, and War's Aftermath

04:01 The Gods and Nolan's Internalization: A Key Difference

05:00 The Odyssey's Legacy: From Virgil to the Renaissance

06:01 Modern Retellings: Tennyson, Joyce, and Contemporary Authors

09:50 Women Reclaim the Narrative: Atwood, Miller, and Barker

12:28 Circe's Island: Magic, Transformation, and Unexplained Elements