Illustrating an Epic:

Art Inspired by Homer's Odyssey

Today, Christopher Nolan’s latest epic film, The Odyssey, hits theaters. The discourse surrounding this movie has been varied, and at times, inflammatory. (For example, I wrote about one of the biggest controversies in this article: Was Helen of Troy White?.) But, it is important to remember that, at its heart, this movie is based on a myth. It is a story that has stuck with humanity for thousands of years and has been interpreted in numerous ways across the millennia. Despite being from a time very different from our own, there are still many themes that resonate with audiences today: our connection to our homes, the bond of family, the role of fate, and fighting for what is ours. These ideas are universal, timeless, and a part of the reason the Odyssey sticks with us.

This is not just seen in the sheer number of retellings and adaptions, however. Additionally, the story and characters of The Odyssey have permeated art as well. So, I thought it would be fun to show some of my favorite pieces connected with this epic poem as a way to show just how important this work is to our shared creative culture.

Odysseus

The main character of the story and the King of Ithaca. He fought in the Trojan War and has been trying to come home for the past ten years.

Head of Odysseus from a sculptural group representing Odysseus blinding Polyphemus. 1st century CE (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Penelope

The long-suffering, loyal wife of Odysseus. She holds Ithaca for him and their son, Telemachus.

Penelope encounters the returned Odysseus posing as a beggar. (Mural in the Macellum of Pompeii, CC 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

Telemachus

The son of Penelope and Odysseus. He was just a baby when his father left for the war, but is a young man during this poem. Telemachus is one of the main characters as he travels to different parts of Greece to find out what happened to Odysseus.

Slaughter of the suitors by Odysseus and Telemachus (Krater, c 330 BCE, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Calypso

Calypso is a nymph, the immortal daughter of the Titan Atlas. She is in love with Odysseus and has kept him on her island for seven years. It isn’t until Zeus and Hermes intervene that she agrees to set him free.

Calypso calling heaven and earth to witness her sincere affection to Ulysses by Angelica Kauffman (18th century, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Circe

A sorceress, Circe tries to trap Odysseus and his crew on her island via magic potions. He is saved by an intervening Hermes and manages to trick Circe into making a deal for his and his men’s release.

Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses, John Williams Waterhouse, 1891 (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Polyphemus

A Cyclops and the son of Poseidon. He was blinded by Odysseus and his crew, which turned the sea god against them.

The Cyclops, Odilon Redon, 1914, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Athena

The Greek goddess of war and strategy. She is Odysseus’ patron goddess and helps him many times during the Trojan War and his journey home.

Pallas Athene, Gustav Klimt, c 1898 (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Poseidon

The Greek god of the sea. He had a vendetta against Odysseus, especially after he blinded his son.

Artemision Bronze, c 480 - 440 BCE, (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)