The Odyssey: Movie vs Book
Different Character Portrayals From Book to Film The Odyssey, the classic epic by Homer, has been retold for centuries since it was first written in ***. Each of these retellings differs from, one another, seeing as each version has a somewhat alternate take on the tale. This causes characters to be portrayed differently from translation to translation. After reading the retellings by John* Evslin and W.H.D. Rouse, as well as watching Konchalovslky's film version, it was clear one could detect visible differences between characters. Notable differences were most clearly seen in Odysseus, Anticlea, and Teiresias, who's depictions I will compare as they were described in Book XI of The Odyssey, "How Odysseus Visited the Kingdom of the Dead." Odysseus, the main character, is basically portrayed as a shrew, fearless, and smart man, cleverly weaving his way out of different dilemmas. After all, he is referred to as "the man who was never at a loss," and judging from his description in both film and different translations, this always seems to be true. However, there are several smaller differences in his character portrayal in different retellings. In Evslin's version, seeing as this version isn't greatly detailed, one can't gain
It seems that in this version Odysseus is simply dodging falling temple pillars and and weaving in and out of fire, rather than being in the Land of Dead to acquire knowledge. He somewhat feels he can tell Odysseus what to do and has authority over him, since he orders him to go back to the ship and not be allowed to see Tantalus or Sisyphus, although Odysseus wanted to. Overall, from just reading this chapter, one can't tell a great deal about Odysseus' character. 'I knew it well, but I would not speak evil of your wife, not I, not I. Although the characters did somewhat differ from version to version, the basics of their nature remained the same. In the movie, Anticlea always seems very stern, even when reuniting with her son. Anticlea also seems quite casual in the meeting of her son. Also, in the movie, Odysseus shoos the other souls away, instead of regarding them with more respect, therefore making the spirits seem quite evil instead of heroes and innocent commoners who have come to the underworld. In this version, he has a much more seemingly realistic meeting with his mother. Anticlea tells Odysseus how she was driven to take her own life, thinking that he was dead and she could no longer go on living in his absence. " The film seems to focus more on Odysseus as being extremely courageous, physically strong, and a great risk taker; obviously to add to his appeal. When he speaks to Teiresias, he also doesn't seem to have that great a respect for him as he does in the other version. However, from just watching this scene in the movie, one couldn't acquire so much of a feel for her character than if they had seen other parts of the film, for instance the part where she walked into the sea. However, it seems that his presence isn't as acknowledged as it is in Evslin's version, where all the ghosts seem to "make way" for him, although it is clear that in this version he is also highly respected among the dead.
Common topics in this essay:
Odysseus Odysseus,
Land Dead,
Odysseus Evslin's,
Odysseus' Anticlea's,
Dead Odysseus,
Book XI,
Film Odyssey,
Kingdom Overall,
WHD Rouse,
Overall Teiresias,
rouse's translation,
evslin's version,
odysseus' character rouse's,
character alive,
book xi,
seeing version,
version seeing,
odysseus' character,
kingdom dead,
dead odysseus,
character rouse's translation,
emotion character alive,
emotion character,
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Acceptance Essays
