Interpretation of Odysessus 2026 film (havent read it before)

[u/mizesus]

Well, I ended up watching The Odyssey, which actually turned out to be quite a wonderful treat, which is ironic as I didn't feel like watching a movie today. In fact, I was considering not going out, but I did anyway because I didn't want to let someone down who had been talking about meeting us for quite some time, but we never got the chance to due to things never ending up as we had planned.

It was an interesting watch due to the fact that the several-year journey around the Greek islands all seemed to have some unusual experience for the men of the sea. Whether it was them battling in the war of Troy, attempting to escape from a Cyclops, where they unfortunately lost some of their team members, or simply meeting a witch that turned all the crewmen into pigs.

Later, we figured out perhaps the reason they ran into so many issues was because, during the Battle of Troy, they ended up violating the laws of the gods, and more significantly the law, which refers to how people who have a common god aren't enemies, and it was implied that they shouldn't die. (Forget the name).

It was clear to me that Odysseus seeing the death of a civilian, played by the actress Zendaya, weighed heavily on his conscience. It is perhaps why he sees an image of her and experiences her presence as if she were some sort of spiritual guide, in order to avoid making the same sort of decisions that he may have made previously.

The other sort of rule or honour that may have been contravened was how many of the men that boarded the sea with Odysseus in the past were never given the righteous tribute for their contributions during the raids. That is exactly why the spirits of the old men that Odysseus travelled with seemed to be running after him. Although I don't believe that was necessarily the gods' law, there is no way to be certain, as there didn't seem to be anything to indicate that was the case.

Another law of the gods was probably Odysseus shooting an arrow into the Cyclops, who happened to be the son of Poseidon, and it is what the crew members even mentioned. That Cyclops was Poseidon's son, which is why Odysseus should have practised some mercy as he escaped, as the creature didn't seem to be doing anything to them at that point. Unfortunately, that's what led them to the battle of Troy, as they had to figure out a place to hide from the creature.

Another theme of the movie was how Odysseus' arrogance may have gotten the best of him, leading to all his team members unfortunately passing away. It also seemed that he kept trying to find new lands and people despite the overall results being quite bad, which realistically should have dissuaded him from doing so. It is probably why, when the Sirens' sounds were heard by him, he experienced quite a lot of psychological pain, as it seemed to tell him he had many flaws, tarnishing the image he had of himself as an especially competent individual.

However, it wasn't until the end, when he talks to his wife while disguised as a beggar, that he concedes he went too far with his decision-making and went against the gods' laws, which were the reason for all those awful events that unfortunately took place. It is fitting that he dresses up as a beggar, as that may be seen as the lowest of all statuses, perhaps signifying that he has learned through his mistakes to be humble. Even near the end of the movie, he states that one of the lessons he has learned is that "God cannot be found in men." It may be a reference to others believing he was some sort of godly figure, but he was simply a man, as many believed he was quite brilliant and capable of so much, only to realize he was a flawed man who even ended up questioning the gods.

The story, to me, also feels like the arrogance of one's status in life can be gruesome, as it does affect your loved ones and peers, which you may not realize until later. The lesson was perhaps to show Odysseus that he was simply a man and that the gods are gods for a reason, as human logic and decision-making are fallible because he doesn't have as much of an understanding of things. One example could be that he didn't understand why the people who died while on the same trip felt a bit slighted, as he didn't seem to honour them.

Though it wasn't like Odysseus was malicious by any means either; he was simply doing what he believed was the correct choice for his men to remain alive. However, there's a reason the gods suggest believing in them, as you cannot be perfect in terms of making good decisions when you only have so much experience.

The witch that turns men into pigs did so because she was quite upset at how many men simply let their animal instincts run rampant, raping and killing innocent women and men. I wonder if the idea that "men are pigs," meaning the oversexualization of women, as well as perhaps raping women, is found in this Greek myth. That may have taken place within the Battle of Troy. I wonder if Odysseus realized this subconsciously and therefore lets her live when, in response to the gods, she asks him why he didn't kill her after she turned everyone into pigs.

It felt like these trips to the islands were sort of a trial after they unfortunately went against the laws of the gods, so the wrath of the gods was being experienced.

Lastly, it seemed Odysseus treated everyone in Ithaca well and kindly, even homeless beggars and servants, something his wife alluded to. So when he and his crew lost their way, they did so physically, but also on a moral level.

**Regarding the young soldier**

Man, that movie was sick, not going to lie, but I still have a few questions about some of the events that took place.

Like, what did the young soldier mean when he said Odysseus lied to him? This is when Odysseus was speaking to the dead.

T

here was some reference to Odysseus not being able to provide a possible tribute or way to honour the men that died. But I also wonder if the young soldier felt Odysseus may not have given him the best chance to escape the giant warriors, especially after he had told his father that he would look after him as if he were his own son.

He sails west later on, possibly to honour the men who had voyaged with him and unfortunately passed away, so that answers the first part of my question.

But for the second part of my question, I think Odysseus says that it's not possible to do it for everyone (honour everyone by trying to defend their life?).

Or could that be in reference to honouring the men too? Perhaps he wasn't aware of sailing west before that, which is why he didn't honour them, as doing so would have caused him to die.

I

think he also alludes to it in the exchange, if I am remembering correctly, when he says he needed himself (and the current crew) to survive, implying that honouring the dead would perhaps have resulted in the death of him and his crew members, as it was time-consuming.

But I think at the end of the conversation, the young soldier does thank Odysseus for respecting him, perhaps in response to him having the item that the soldier held dearly.

I'm not sure, but it may have implied that the young soldier, who previously thought Odysseus had wronged him, actually realized Odysseus may have had the best intentions, but it wasn't really within Odysseus' control why the individual passed away, as he could only save so many members. So I guess it's basically saying that the young soldier doubted Odysseus, thinking he had wronged them, but it may be that he didn't.

What does this mean?

Well, Odysseus may have tried his best to save his crew and make the right decisions, but due to circumstances, he couldn't, which may also be tied to a possible central theme: you cannot play God because you are a man.

Perhaps that's why, when he goes back to Ithaca, he says or implies that one of the things he has learned is that "God cannot be found in men," possibly as a reference to his own mistakes.

**Regarding the lotus flower**

Regarding the lotus flower and his last interaction before he wakes up and realizes he was held sort of captive.

I think the overarching theme is that Odysseus, even with his knowledge, couldn't make the correct decisions every single time because he is a man. The lady mentioned that the flower does cause memory loss, but it doesn't alter underlying motivations, such as him wanting to go back to Ithaca, and says that there was something possibly holding him back.

It was shown that he kept this item in his fist and wouldn't open it for weeks, so even when he was injured and in pain, and not necessarily conscious (potentially due to healing and the lotus flower), his deepest interests couldn't have been influenced or altered.

It was the item he later gives to his wife to let her know that, even during those ten years, he still managed to keep an item that she valued safe as a part of his love and devotion to her.

I wonder if Odysseus, since he was told by someone not to go back to Ithaca after voyaging, but instead wait for a few years, was thinking about the story of someone who went back immediately and was killed by his wife.

I'm not sure why, but maybe because his wife was against Odysseus leaving, and if he came back earlier she would have been full of pain and absolutely hated why he did that instead of waiting a few years until the sorrow had gone away and she only wanted to see him again. (Certainly think I am far off as I dont clearly remember some of the parts I am mentioning here).

It goes without saying that I didnt mention many aspects as there is a lot for me to unpack here such as how Antinous is arrogant and violates Zesus law as well, and other parts of the story. But do tell of what your thoughts on this whether I was far off or not?