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Comparison of Homer's "The Odyssey" and Coen's "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

“The Odyssey”, which was written by Homer is an epic poem that is based off a true

journey of a hero who moves back home (Homer. and Fagles 2). The writing of the story took

place in the 8

century. However, the tale has been told throughout generations. On the other

hand, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” was created in 2000 by the Coen brothers (Coen, Coen and

Homer. 17). It is a comedy film that is based off the Odyssey. Coen’s movie, “O Brother, Where

Art Thou?” and Homer’s epic “The Odyssey” has got remarkable similarities. However, several

differences between the two are evident. Among the most notable differences are; the number of

primary characters, the setting as well as the main characters history. The numerous similarities

that come out clearly include the nostos theme, the varying adventures array and the pursuit for

material award.

The main character in Odyssey is Odysseus who leaves his family as well as land to go

and battle for a kidnapped wife of an ally in the battle of Troy (Homer. and Fagles 11). Odysseus

spends ten years in his attempt to return home. During that period of time, he struggles with evils

and ills for him to be able to move back home. During the long period of absence, his wife

continues battling her own battle in an attempt to resist the suitors who gather at her home trying

to win her for marriage. Telemachus their son also has been battling an internal war for missing

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the father. On the other hand, the central characters in O Brother are McGill, Hogwallop and

O’Donnell. However, the story follows McGill as the main character who is held captive and

jailed. However, the company of the three struggles to get back to their families.

In the epic by Homer takes place a couple of centuries ago. On the other hand, Coen’s

movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" took place not long ago in the 1930’s. The difference in

time comes along with varying cultures as well as values. For instance, in Odysseus’ time, there

is high valuing of honor. Homer shares a story of highly valued men who dies in a battle and it is

considered good as well as a respectable death. Coen’s movie, Hogwallop and O’Donnell lived

in a period when honor is not valued (Coen, Coen and Homer.). The three are considered

escaped convicts other than being treated as good people who left for battle. Holding of honor

comes out clearly when Everett McGill returns home only to find his wife already engaged to

another man.

In Homer’s epic, the wife to Odysseus waits for her husband for a decade remaining

faithful to him despite the many challenges that she goes through. Together with their son

Telemachus, she shares the good name of her husband (Homer. and Fagles 112). Upon receiving

the information of Odysseus death, they refuse to accept that possibility having not received

irrefutable proof. On the contrary, McGill’s wife Penny lies to her daughter that their father is

long dead after being hit by a train as she tries avowing the stigma as well as the shame of being

married by a criminal. Thus, Penny gets engaged to another man and thus becomes unfaithful to

McGill. However, despite the differences, the two, Odysseus and McGill struggle a lot to to

move back home and be reunited with their families. The two men has got varying family

dynamics but are both dedicated to their wives abs children as well.

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The Odyssey story focuses on three characters; Telemachus, Odysseus and Penelope

(Homer. and Fagles). However, it only follows Odysseus as the main character. “O Brother,

Where Art Thou?” on the other hand has three central characters McGill, Hogwallop and

O’Donnel that are always together in most of the instances. It also follows one main character

McGill. However, the two has got a difference in the depiction of the important characters. The

characters are presented to have varying histories and stories. For instance, Odysseus is a noble

guy who lives and owns a large property that is used to support his in-laws. He is such a

respected person with his name being well known as a result of his social status that is quite

high. On the contrary, the three central characters in O Brother are criminals. Their possessions

are just equal to those of the average person. That is even better before they are put in prison

where it deteriorates. They are known for their disobedience to the law in addition to being

escaped criminals. While Odysseus is well known for the good deeds the three are known for

their bad deeds.

The two stories have got extensive similarities as well. To begin with, both tales’ main

characters are following the theme of nostos, which is the dire need to return home. In “The

Odyssey”, Odysseus battles with monsters and gods not to forget visiting Hades all in an attempt

to return to his family. McGill, on the other hand convinces his other two friends to break out of

jail so that he can to return to his family (Coen, Coen and Homer.). Moreover, the two stories

begin with the heroes being in captivity. Odysseus is in captivity on a certain Island with

Calypso. Similarly, the three in O Brother are in jail. However, both are later able to escape

captivity by application of different means.

Even though it is at the opposing ends, Odysseus, McGill, Hogwallop, and O’Donnell

are seen ending up floating on driftwood as a result of the violent waters. The waters are

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extremely intense for Odysseus since he had angered Poseidon the god of the sea. Thus,

Poseidon did everything he could to prevent him from going back home. That leads to tearing

down Odysseus handcrafted raft leaving him floating on the broken pieces. Similarly, McGill

and his company are left floating on coffins after flooding of the valley that they were in (Coen,

Coen and Homer.). However, they were able to avoid death since the local sheriff together with

his men is after killing them.

The other similarity is the foretelling of their future by a blind clairvoyant. In O Brother,

the future is foretold by blind clairvoyant who offers them a ride in a handcart. Odysseus is

foretold of his future by the prophet Theoclymenus (Homer. and Fagles 232). Another similarity

is evidence when Odysseus together with his crew meets Polyphemus who terrorizes them but

are able to escape. However, some of Odysseus’ crewmates are smashed and eaten. In O

Brother, the company of the three meets Big Dan Teague that mugs them in addition to luring

them with food and ends up killing one of their men (Coen, Coen and Homer.). Therefore,

Homer's "The Odyssey" and Coen's "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" has got extensive

similarities. However, their differences should not be underestimated.

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Work Cited

Coen, Ethan, Joel Coen, and Homer. O Brother, Where Art Thou?. London: Faber and Faber,

2000. Print.

Homer., and Robert Fagles. The Odyssey. New York: Viking, 1996. Print.

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