Essays on literary works - 2024

Homeric Heroic Epic

The Homeric heroic epic isn't just some dusty relic from your high school syllabus—it's the original cinematic universe, the mythic blueprint for every brooding antihero, tragic love story, and revenge arc you've ever binge-watched. And guess what? It's having a major comeback.

Odysseus: The OG Trickster in a Post-Truth World

Odysseus isn't your standard sword-swinging jock. He's the guy who'd ghost you after a deep convo about fate, then show up years later with a cryptic tweet. In the Odyssey, he tells the Cyclops his name is "No one," a joke that lands so hard it becomes existential. When the Cyclops screams for help, saying "No one is attacking me," his buddies shrug it off. But beneath the humor lies a deeper question: Who is Odysseus, really? Is he the war hero, the liar, the wanderer? Even at the end, when he returns home, we're left wondering if he's still the same man who left.

EPIC: The Musical — TikTok Meets Troy

Enter EPIC: The Musical, a Gen Z reimagining of the Odyssey that's as much about vibes as it is about verses. Created by Jorge Rivera-Herrans, this musical saga blends anime aesthetics, video game energy, and Broadway flair. It's Odysseus with a lo-fi beat, a hero's journey told through TikTok snippets and Spotify playlists. Sure, some classics purists might clutch their pearls, but others see it as a fresh take that brings ancient tales to new audiences.

From Homer to Hollywood: The Odyssey's Modern Revival

The Odyssey isn't just for scholars anymore. Christopher Nolan is reportedly working on a film adaptation, promising his signature mind-bending storytelling. Meanwhile, Uberto Pasolini's The Return strips away the myth to focus on the raw trauma of a soldier coming home, with Ralph Fiennes portraying a silent, scarred Odysseus. These adaptations highlight the timeless themes of identity, survival, and the struggle to reintegrate after war.

The Oral Tradition: Homer as the Original Influencer

Before the written word, there was the spoken tale. Milman Parry's research revealed that the Iliad and Odyssey were products of an oral tradition, passed down by generations of bards. These storytellers used repetitive phrases and structures—like "rosy-fingered Dawn"—to aid memorization and performance. It's storytelling as a living, evolving art form, much like today's viral content.

Achilles and Patroclus: A Love Story?

The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus has sparked debate for centuries. Were they close friends, lovers, or something in between? Modern interpretations often explore the homoerotic undertones, challenging traditional readings and highlighting the fluidity of love and companionship in ancient texts.

Why It Matters Now

In an era of identity crises, fake news, and endless scrolling, the Homeric epics offer a mirror to our own struggles. They're about the search for self, the cost of glory, and the complexity of human relationships. Whether through ancient verse or modern adaptation, these stories continue to resonate, reminding us that the journey home—whatever that means—is never straightforward.

So, next time you're lost in a sea of content, remember Odysseus. He navigated monsters, temptations, and the wrath of gods, all in pursuit of something real. Maybe, just maybe, we can too.