Several Scenes In The Movie example essay topic

The movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou", though loosely based on the "Odyssey", has many things in common with the play written by Homer. There is a parallelism between certain characters and occurrences in the movie and in the book. An obvious similarity between the movie and play is that Ulysses (the Latin name for Odysseus) is trying to get home to his wife, Penny, and children in Ithaka, Mississippi. In the "Odyssey" Odysseus is trying to reach his spouse, Penelope and son in Ithaka, Greece. Both characters are "men of constant sorrow", being held back from their homelands by a person of higher authority. Odysseus is disliked by the God of the Sea, Poseidon, who does everything in his power to keep the man from reaching his destination.

Ulysses, a lawbreaker, is being hunted down by the police. Throughout their journeys, many songs are used to describe their adventures, much like the Homeric Hymns. Several scenes in the movie correspond to parts of the epic poem. The blind man on the railroad cart is like Tiresias, the blind prophet in the "Odyssey"; both men foretell the future. The prophet in the movie states, "You seek a great fortune. You will find a fortune, though it will not be the fortune you seek.

But first, first you must travel a long and difficult road". Although blind, he has much insight into the future. The scene of the baptism in the river represents the Lotus-Eaters, who lose all desire after eating the lotus flower. These people have so much religious faith that they forget their woes and purpose in life. If not for Ulysses, Delmar and Pete would most likely have remained with the Christians. The three women bathing in the lake are similar to the three Sirens.

Both want to lure the men to their deaths. The encounter with the "sirens" in the movie also has a reference to Circe. Pete mistakenly believes that the women changed Pete to a toad, and Circe changes Odysseus' men into swines. The radio station man corresponds to the Cyclops.

The most obvious connection between them is the single eye. Later, Ulysses tries to hit the radio station man in the eye with a stake at the Ku Klux Klan meeting. Although Dan catches it, this scene is similar to when Odysseus takes out the eye of the Cyclops. Earlier in the movie, Ulysses revealed his real name, making it easier for the sheriff to track him down. Odysseus calls out to Polyphemus his real name, permitting the Cyclops to curse him with Poseidon's wrath. The politicians, Big Dan Teague and Homer Stokes, could represent Scylla and Charybdis; both are monstrous.

Or, Big Dan Teague and his fellow politicians could symbolize the gods on Mount Olympus. The fact that they are big in size shows that they have a lot of power, just like the Greek gods. There are two possible scenes that correlate with the scene at the Lestrygonians. One is at the picnic with the radio station man. Although he doesn't try to eat Odysseus and his companion, he does injure them. Or, the Ku Klux Klan members can represent the Lestrygonians.

They want to kill Tommy Johnson as part of their goal of achieving a pure white race. The suitors are also present in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" One of Ulysses' daughters refers to Penny's fianc'e as a "suitor". Although this contrasts to the book, Penny is willing to marry the man, for he is not constantly in jail. Ulysses is so determined to win back his wife, and he does achieve in doing this, just like Odysseus in the "Odyssey". Odysseus' character does not change in the movie.

He remains "a great tactician", using his shrewdness to devise plans. He is clearly outspoken, and doesn't hide the fact that he mocks his own companions. Also, just as in the "Odyssey", he withholds information from them. He lies about the treasure, which was just an excuse to make Pete and Delmar come along, since they were attached by chains. In conclusion, the movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou", was inspired by the "Odyssey". Therefore, they have many similarities.

The characters are based on those in the "Odyssey", and so are several events. The book, however, was no doubt better than the film.