Take a look at the 1995 Academy-Award winning "Apollo 13," and the heart of Homer's "Odyssey" from centuries beforehand will shine through, an Emory College classics professor said Monday night.
David Bright, professor of classics and comparative literature, described the powerful influence Homer's "Odyssey" has had on several contemporary films and stories during Ball State University's fourth annual Bruce F. and Ildiko B. Meyer Honors Memorial Lecture. The lecture began the university's first Honors Week, sponsored by the Student Honors Council and the Honors College.
More than 70 students, professors and local residents gathered in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center's Cardinal Hall for the speech, titled "Odysseus Off the Map: From Lilliput to Outer Space."
Homer's 12,000-line epic poem details the experiences of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who battles misfortune in his quest to return home following the Trojan War, Bright said.
"Even the most reluctant readers are drawn to its spell," he said.
So are many filmmakers and writers, who have used the poem's theme constantly in stories of war and peace, mission, cosmic duty, hardship and triumph, Bright said.
"It really is just one of the most interesting story types that have been applied over and over again and is still now," Bright said.
For example, Gulliver in Jonathan Swift's book "Gulliver's Travels" is at first considered a dreadful giant by the Lilliputians, much like how Odysseus considered the Cyclops Polyphemus in Homer's poem. But Gulliver's character, like that of Odysseus, gradually develops throughout the story as his family awaits his return.
"Apollo 13," which details the moon-bound mission that experienced trouble before the men aboard had to rescue it, also reflects the story of Odysseus' trial, solution and impact, he said.
Bright also called the satirical "A True Story" by Lucian of Samosata a "blend of the 'Odyssey' and 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' with a side order of 'Monty Python.'"
Sophomore Dean Kessler said he was surprised to hear how even popular culture movies such as "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" in 2000 and "Cold Mountain" in 2003 could connect so easily to Homer's epic story.
"They are of triumph and the power of people to overcome obstacles and reach their goal, and it is the ultimate happy ending that we like, but you see them grow as people," Kessler said.
The honors memorial lecture began in Fall 2002 to honor the late Bruce Meyer, professor of architecture, and his wife, Ildiko, who died in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Honors College Dean Jim Ruebel said he hoped the lecture enlightened students and showed them how seriously the historical works have been studied.
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