how is "O brother, where art thou" similar to "the odyssey"?

Question

im going to write a paper on this

can some people help me find the similarities

i know both stories have the main character return home to their wife in hopes they are have not moved on

any other similarities? any websites i can use?

Answer 1

The Odyssey
In Homer's The Odyssey, the Greeks had been engaged in battle and bloodshed with the Trojans for ten long years. To finally put a quick end to things - sly, slick Odysseus had tricked the Trojans into thinking that the Greeks had given up and gone home. To honor the Trojans, the Greeks had left behind a colossal wooden horse as a "gift." (This is where the saying: "Beware Greeks bearing gifts" got started.) The Trojans brought the gigantic horse within the walls of Troy, had an even more colossal celebratory party, and then fell asleep. What the Trojans didn't know was that Odysseus and his men were hidden inside the gigantic horse. Troy was then sacked by the Greeks, and the Trojans were utterly, completed conquered via Odysseus' trick horse.

"Tell me, O Muse, of that ingenious hero who traveled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy." Homer

Troy had fallen, and it was now time for Odysseus and his men to return to their homes across the sea. It's at this point where "the odyssey" begins for Odysseus and his men. Life then appears to become a meandering, disjointed journey on the "road to nowhere" for quick thinking, quick talking Odysseus. During their long journey, Odysseus and his men encounter various obstacles on the way home to the Greek isle of Ithaca. 80% of The Odyssey is then about the differing obstacles Odysseus encountered on his journey home.

Odysseus finally returns home after many years of being gone and lost at sea. At this final point of the saga, due to the many obstacles he's faced, Odysseus is an older, more "seasoned," and much wiser man. Upon his arrival home, sly Odysseus learns that his enemies have boldly invaded and taken over his home - and he further learns each of his enemies have their eyes on claiming his beautiful wife, Penelope. Odysseus quickly realizes that trickery and quick thinking are the only chances he has of overcoming his many enemies. Odysseus cleverly disguises himself as an old feeble man, in order to secretly walk among his enemies without being discovered. Then Odysseus goes about methodically laying out a clever trap for his enemies. The trap works - and he, his home, his wife, and his son are all set free.

O Brother
In "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", George Clooney plays the role of fast talking, quick thinking, escaped convict Ulysses Everett McGill who is accompanied on his journey home by two companions, Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and Pete (John Turturro). The name, Ulysses, is the Roman rendering of Homer’s Greek hero in The Odyssey, Odysseus. Everett, as he’s referred to throughout most of the movie, is a silver-tongued petty criminal during the depression years of the 1930s, and throughout the movie he's trying to get back home to Ithaca (Ithaca, Mississippi, that is - and not the Greek Isle) and to his beloved wife, Penny. 80% of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is about the differing obstacles Ulysses Everett McGill encounters on his unusual journey home. By the time Everett makes it home, it seems that he's done a little changing and growing up, too.

If you’re familiar with the major elements of Homer’s The Odyssey, then you’ll likely spend a good portion of the movie, trying to figure out all the illusions to the original telling by Homer. Trust me… for days and days after watching the movie, you’ll still be thinking your way through the movie and trying to piece it all together. I’d love to point out some of the characters and/or situations to watch for, but that’s half of the fun of the movie. Before the movie's over, you'll know for sure that Ulysses Everett McGill is "bona fide."

Answer 2

Based on the "Odyssey" by Homer
The titles acknowledge the work is, "Based upon Homer's Odyssey." In interviews, the Coen brothers say that they never actually read the Odyssey, but the film patterns many of its characters and situations upon that ancient work (see below). The Coens claim to having gleaned most of the incidental details of Homer's epic from the 1955 filmed adaptation (Ulysses), starring Kirk Douglas.

Episodes in the film somewhat resemble the Odyssey. Everett tends to come off much worse than his mythical counterpart Odysseus. A viewer familiar with the Odyssey may often expect the hero to triumph. Typically, this does not happen, although things turn out all right later, partly because the hero is so irrepressible, partly by sheer luck. Among the similarities:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Brother,_Where_Art_Thou%3F

Answer 3

The first time I watched this movie, I was nearly bored to tears. Then, a couple of weeks later, a friend came over and had rented it, so I watched it again. It was a little funnier that time, and it gets funnier and funnier each time. If I come across it when I'm flipping channels, I always stop and at least watch a little. My favorite line: "We thought you was a horny toad!" So, what started out as a movie I hated has become one that I absolutely LOVE! :)

Answer 4

The blind guy on the railroad tracks is the blind seer from the Odyssey.

The Cyclops (John Goodman's character).

The Sirens (the 3 women).

I don't really know any of the story related stuff, its been a long time, but that is what I remember, hope it helps.

Answer 5

It follows the "Hero's Journey" ...the classic mythical structure popularized by the works of writer Joseph Campbell. Many common myths and legends follow this structure, along with current stories and popular movies.

I've listed a website that can help you with understanding the "hero's journey".

Answer 6

ahh amazing question . Oh brother is based on the odyssey... The one eyed cyclops in the odyssey is the one eyed salesman...the kkk section is in reference to odysseus being prisoner of the cyclops...in the odyssey he regains enterance into his home by dressing as an old man, in Ob Brother he dresses as a blugrass singer, Sing it to me man, muse is the first line in both stories, Ulysses is the roman name of Odysseus, they both run into a blind man who tells the future.... need more? Message me .

Answer 7

The similarity is there are so many conditions put on his return that it becomes nearly impossible. Everytimes he makes progress home, he has to detour to do something else first.

Answer 8

Dude... the sirens! Remember? The voyagers are captivated by their song.

Also... Odysseus (Clooney) returns home and his wife has accepted the hand of another suitor, whom he must challenge.

Answer 9

The Governor is named Menelaous...

Answer 10

I totally had an answer, but I was just going to say what the others have said.