The absurdity of seeking historical rigor in Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’, a work based on an epic poem full of mythological elements

The first trailer for ‘The Odyssey’, Christopher Nolan’s new film, has raised blisters. Social networks have become on a war footing because the details do not fit with the historical era in which it takes place. Curious, considering that the film recounts mythological events that, therefore, never happened in reality.

Homer’s work It is an epic poem, a fiction pregnant with fantastical elements. Although it takes place in Mycenaean Greece (Bronze Age), ‘The Iliad’ is the story of a hero: after the Trojan War, Ulysses, king of Ithaca, undertakes the journey back to his home. During those days of travel, he faces numerous dangers, while a plot is hatched in his own kingdom.

The poem portrays Ulysses’ fight against cyclops, sirens and other mythological creatures that make it difficult to return home. Upon his return, he recovers his wife Penelope and destroys the conspirators.

In short, ‘The Odyssey’ may take place in a specific time and mention historical eventslike the Trojan War. However, the poet or poets who composed the work (it has never been proven that Homer existed as a historical figure) were not faithful to history in any case.

Not even if it were based on historical facts

Although ‘The Odyssey’ was based on historical events, Movies don’t have to be true to reality.. As happened with ‘Gladiator’, the directors and scriptwriters take their license, which is not incorrect, no matter how much the tweeters go for the jugular. Historical rigor must be found in other types of works and the public must be aware that what they are going to see is not a faithful reproduction of the past.

‘The Odyssey’ premieres only in theaters next July 17.

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