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Homer's The Odyssey is one of the oldest recorded stories in the Western world, and remains beloved among generations of readers in part for its rich portrayal of Greek mythology. Though the story is primarily about the human Odysseus and his human family and friends, there are countless mythological characters and creatures popping up throughout the narrative.
So, what do you need to know about Greek mythology to understand The Odyssey? Honestly, as long as you understand a few key names and ideas, you'll be well on your own way, and even then the film, which opens wide today, will guide you along. That said, it's still worth a refresher, so let's take a quick look at the major mythological elements of the story.
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Mythology in The Odyssey: The Greek Gods
The Odyssey is set in the Greek world in and around the Ancient Mediterranean, specifically near the end of The Bronze Age around roughly 1200 BCE. That means Ancient Greek religion is in full force, and that means Gods.
The characters of The Odyssey believe in the Gods, and their influence on the daily lives of humanity, something they observe through various sacrifices, prayers, and customs. There are many, many Greek Gods at various levels, but for the purposes of this story it's good to be aware of three in particular: Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena.
Zeus is the king of Gods of Olympus, the brother of Poseidon, and father of Athena. He is not only the leader of the Greek Pantheon, but the God of Thunder and Sky. Poseidon is God of the Sea and, therefore, has power over Odysseus's sea voyages and how well they fare. Then there's Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, played by Zendaya in the film.
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Mythology in The Odyssey: Monsters, witches, and more
While the Gods are the supreme beings of the world of The Odyssey, they're not the only supernatural element at work in the story. Odysseus's travels are marked by encounters with many other strange creatures from mythology, so let's take a quick look at which ones you should watch for.
The Cyclops
The most famous monster in The Odyssey is probably the Cyclops known as Polyphemus, a one-eyed, giant shepherd who lives in a cave. Traditionally depicted as a son of Poseidon, Polyphemus enters the story when Odysseus and his men discover his cave home and end up trapped inside. Escaping the Cyclops is not a test of brute strength but of wits, as Odysseus and his men must find a way to sneak out rather than fight.
Circe
Then there's Circe, a witch played by Samantha Morton in the film. In the poem, Odysseus and his men visit Circe's home, where she turns Odysseus' men into pigs, forcing him to bargain for their lives and reason with the witch. Then there's Calypso, played by Charlize Theron, a nymph who holds Odysseus captive on her island for a key stretch of time in the story. Both of these characters are portrayed as demigods or minor deities in Homer's original epic poem.
You want more monsters? Over the course of his travels in the original epic poem, Odysseus also encounters giant cannibal warriors known in the poem as Laestrygonians; the mythical Sirens who lure sailors to their deaths with their song; a great whirlpool known as Charybdis; a beast known as Scylla; and more. There's even a visit to Hades itself to speak with the souls of the dead.
The Odyssey is in theaters now.
