Comparing The Odyssey 'And O Brother, Where Art Thou?'

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The Odyssey and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, distinct texts share various elements including characters and theme. In O Brother, Where Art Thou? escapees launch a successful song while running from the law in hopes to return to their loved ones. In The Odyssey, post to the Trojan War, Odysseus travels back home after over ten years of absence. O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a film released in the year 2000, based off of The Odyssey, established its setting in the 1930’s during the Great Depression, a result of World War I. While The Odyssey took place after the Trojan War. Both texts share a setting post to a war, this time served as recovery from war. In O Brother, Where Art Thou? Everett begins his journey home to find his children and wife by …show more content…

Both characters face irony with their wives. Odysseus wife is suited by a large number of men; however, she remains loyal to their love. Contrastingly, Everett finds his wife in the process of remarrying. Significantly Everett and his crew, including two escapees and someone random from the road, encounter Big Dan Teague, a large man with one working eye. Similarly, Odysseus meets with Polyphemus, a cyclops. These two new characters are significant in the manner that they both play the role of antagonist, bringing trouble and misfortune in their journey. In addition, both Odysseus and Everett demonstrate perseverance. When crossing Skylla, Odysseus acknowledges that this specific journey may cause his men and himself to die; however, he continues and survives. Similarly, Everett Everett tricked the man he was chained too into believing a story where they would split 1.2 million in exchange for his freedom. Odysseus used his army and brain to overcome the problematic situation while Everett outsmarted the man. O Brother, Where Art Thou? reflects the writing of The Odyssey; however, the author updated the story for present teenagers and adults by adding updated action, violence and

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