Thousands of years have passed since the days of Homer and Virgil, and the stories of mighty heroes like Odysseus and Theseus were told, yet these persist today. Whether through inspiration, parallel ideas and themes, or direct references to classic heroes and myths, these remain a well-known and valued aspect of media and culture. The fact that these are still extremely relatable and relevant even today shows that no matter how much technology has advanced and humanity has evolved, perhaps human nature is still the same at the core. Ancient myths are woven with difficult themes and questions that applied to heroes of the past and still apply to men today. Themes of resilience, loyalty and identity, and questions about morality, ambition and more are still being wrestled with today. These essential questions about human nature are still pondered upon and are given more nuance as society progresses, making ancient myths a timeless window into the human soul and mind. While there were answers which ancient thinkers came up with themselves, these must continue to be questioned and contemplated by individuals of the present day. While the story of Icarus, for example, contains mythical elements of seeking to fly and demonstrate the consequences of flying too high, the practical lessons at the heart of the myth warning against ambition and recklessness are applicable to all men. These stories may be ancient, but their conflicts are familiar. Modern inquiry of ancient stories also allows for broader understanding on topics yet showing how myths are relevant to all generations. We continue telling and reading ancient stories not because there is a loss of new ideas, but because these provide endless expansion on understanding of human nature and behavior. Beneath all the curses, godly strength and adventures of heroes, they are humans with fatal flaws and desires like everyone else.

Christopher Nolan’s recent release of The Odyssey is an exceptional adaption of the ancient epic, capturing its grandeur and humanity.  From the stance of a mere movie watcher, the film is a visual masterpiece, capturing beautiful landscapes and emotional dialogue. Every scene and setting contains elements which feel familiar and human, yet mythical and larger than life. The acting performances of renowned actors did not disappoint at all, creating the great emotional weight of the tale filled with power struggles, perseverance, and longing for home. It was also very compelling to learn that Nolan avoided use of CGI greatly, relying on clay molds for the scene when Circe turns Odysseus’ men into pigs, and a massive 60-foot puppet for the cyclops – this really showed his commitment to making the mythical world feel tangible and authentic.

As described in Aristotle’s Poetics, the reception and reaction which the audience has to a tragedy is crucial and known as catharsis. This is the purging of emotions such as pity and fear from audience members after engaging with a tragic play. It is deeper than merely feeling surface level sadness or shock because of the unfortunate turn of events or storyline. Rather, catharsis refers to a cleansing of the mind and emotions allowing individuals to confront and regulate their own emotions, after viewing struggles and suffering of characters. Seeing such human mistakes and even a reflection of themselves in the tragic mistakes or difficulties which characters endure creates an open space for emotions to be expressed. For readers, catharsis allows for exploration and understanding of emotions that are not easily spoken about, such as guilt and grief. Catharsis encourages associating oneself with a character’s actions and journey as this creates self-awareness and empathy for oneself instead of condemnation. In modern times, there are sad movies made, but these become more emotionally charged and meaningful when one is able to resonate with a character and seek to understand themselves and how to progress in their human journey. In this way, literature fulfills its purpose in being a tool to understanding one’s humanity and that of others. Through storytelling, ranging from sharing and journaling personal tales, or listening to that of others, patients and families in hospice situations particularly, can safely release their emotions. During the end-of-life transition, complex emotions, such as love, regret fear, and grief, naturally surface and can be difficult to express openly. Like the audience of a tragedy, they can engage with difficult emotions and have a better grasp of humanity and connection instead of suppressing these. For families, catharsis can transform grief into an opportunity to better understand and reminisce even amidst loss. For patients, expressing their own stories can allow them to experience catharsis for themselves, restoring their identity and dignity which they may have lost sight of during illness.

Defying the laws of the land requires great courage and carries even greater significance and implications when this is done for reason of morality. Being able to recognize the inherent immorality and disrespect which is bound up in a higher authority, and act against it, not to purely rebel, but for advocacy and protection of moral obligations is extremely profound and encourages correct living in society. Antigone clearly does this through her action of burying her brother, considered a traitor to her city of Thebes, although this defies the law set in place by King Creon, who was also her uncle. While her action was viewed as outright disobedience and treason to authority, it was a display of true courage and advocacy, treating her fallen brother rightly, with dignity even in death, as all people deserve. Antigone’s courage was ultimately rooted in firm commitment to principles which no human ruler could restrict. She demonstrated that these values of honoring the dead, advocating for the vulnerable and devotion to family, are fundamental to being human and cannot be compromised to appease a flawed human ruler. Antigone’s actions emphasize that morality cannot be defined and mindlessly followed by laws or government. Creon represents that moral flaws within human laws that can occur, and the consequences which follow when these are bound to so tightly, even when it is clear that they challenge what the human heart recognizes as righteous and correct. Antigone’s resistance reveals the tension between adhering to what is legal versus what is ethically right, which exists to this day. In the end, Antigone finds favor in the eyes of the gods, dying with honor and their approval, as they praised her bravery to defend higher moral laws although this guaranteed a consequence of death. On the other hand, Creon created discord within his family, with his son and wife ending up committing suicide in a rippling effect of his stubbornness and refusal to withdraw the law; he lived on but was emotionally destroyed by grief. Such different ends for these two more profoundly indicates that dignity and compassion must be upheld, and losing sight of these is destruction of self and one’s humanity. Moral courage should not be an exception reserved for the especially bold, but an action everyone must be willing to take to uphold dignity, even when it is dangerous.

The tragic story of Icarus is often reduced to the warning “don’t fly too close to the sun.” However, his story offers greater complexity and relevance to us today. In the original story, to escape from imprisonment in a tower, Daedalus creates a pair of wings for himself and his son. Daedalus understands the danger, but still carries out a risky plan, as they will have to fly high enough not to crash into the ocean waves below, but also low enough so that the wax holding the wings together does not melt. So, he repeatedly warns his son, Icarus, to fly in the middle for his own safety. Therefore, Icarus’ tragic end as he soars too high, allowing the sun to melt the wax of his wings is viewed as hubris and disregard for his father’s practical warnings. In the context of the ancient times in which Ovid wrote his Metamorphoses, Icarus’ story is framed as the tragic demise which would be given to those who allowed their overweening pride to guide their actions, and disrespected their parents, which violates pietas. However, in modern times, a reexamination of Icarus’ story is occurring, with many praising his daring and ambition. Icarus’ story could be reinterpreted as Daedalus limiting his abilities and wanting a mediocre life for him, flying in the middle, rather than encouraging the extraordinary, although this has greater risk. Icarus merely had more ambitious goals, but unfortunately having these does not guarantee success. Icarus was human, susceptible to failure, shown through his tragic fall from the sky. Icarus’ story in modern times, serves to show that high ambition can result in consequences like exhaustion or burnout. Were the few moments that Icarus spent in glory and freedom worth a tragic demise, or would it have been better for him to remain confined, but safe? In my opinion, following the steps of Icarus and being able to fly, experiencing true happiness and accomplishment in pursuit of one’s aspirations, even though this may be fleeting, is worthwhile. The bold action of Icarus is ultimately better than living in fear of possible failure and accepting mediocrity. 

Aeneas, as the founder of the Roman people and the main character of the Aeneid, is framed as the ideal Roman citizen. He embodies the core virtue of their culture, pietas, a deep sense of devotion to the gods, country and family. To bolster the name and reputation of Rome and also create an idealized character for the Romans to emulate, Virgil makes Aeneas’ character almost completely symbolic, unable to do wrong. Side characters of the Aeneid are introduced as foils to Aeneas, meant to make him appear even greater and more noble. However, what if these side characters actually grasped and embodied pietas, and were truly better role models for the Roman people than Aeneas? The two characters, Dido and Camilla, stand out, as they impact the plot of the epic, and are recognized by scholars as atypical, and truly extraordinary. 

Those who know the story of Orpheus are often left frustrated with the ending. After his wife, Eurydice, tragically dies, Orpheus weeps and composes sad music. Hades, ruler of the Underworld, is soon swayed to allow Orpheus to bring his wife back into the world of the living, on the condition that he does not turn to look at her until they have left the Underworld. However, Orpheus is filled with fear and doubt and turns to make sure his wife is behind him, ultimately causing their eternal separation. They wonder how Orpheus could be so foolish as to ruin the only chance he has to see his wife again – a miracle that others could never dream of receiving. “He could have just not turned around, and they would have been reunited.” Losing his wife like this a second time seems almost laughable. What these people do not understand is that this story should not be viewed literally, as Orpheus making a foolish mistake, ruining the divine opportunity given him, but rather a picture of how grief impacts a person. Orpheus’ story is a depiction of how grief traps a person and causes one to be unable to cope with a loved one’s death. Those who are quick to criticize Orpheus must view his story in a realistic sense of dealing with grief. Orpheus is a representation of those who, instead of looking to the future and seek healing, are constantly looking back and reminiscing past moments, ultimately faced with the fact that there is no way to reverse loss. When viewed in this realistic, relatable lens, the story of Orpheus becomes much less absurd, and instead a reflection of true human struggles.

In the Odyssey, home is not a physical place like Ithaca, but is a deeper concept rooted in meaningful connections with people, values, and one’s identity.  For Odysseus, specifically, the idea of his home, the island of Ithaca is tied with remaining loyal to his family – his wife Penelope, and son, Telemachus. As he continues his journey, it becomes clearer that returning to his physical home is not the goal or way to feel like one belongs, bur is rather maintaining principles of loyalty and perseverance despite hardships. As Odysseus faces challenges on the sea, from fighting Polyphemus, to resisting the enchantments of Calypso, he constantly reminds himself what he is enduring these for. A picture of the island of Ithaca does not come to his mind, but rather the faces of his loved ones who bring his life meaning. Calypso in particular, sought to captivate Odysseus to fulfill her own loneliness and replace his wife, Penelope. However, even with the hospitality and an eternal, satisfied life which she offered him, Odysseus was unshakable in his loyalty to his beloved wife. The glamour of the promised life with Calypso did not compare to the familiar and irreplaceable people who Odysseus had yet to meet again in his home in Ithaca. In this way, his journey was essential for him to really understand what his “home” was, and to emphasize devotion and love for one’s family and close friends to the broader Greek audience. Enduring 20 years of separation from his family, filled with recurring difficulties and setbacks may not necessarily be labeled “good” for Odysseus, but was valuable in the end, as his values of loyalty and devotion became very strong. When he finally reached Ithaca once more, Odysseus lived in true fulfillment and joy with his wife and son, because of his long journey at sea, which so greatly tested his sense of loyalty and family. The Odyssey truly shows how home is not limited to a single location, but lives in the people who we love and the principles we uphold. While circumstances change, molding one’s identity, the core values of loyalty and love that define “home” remain constant.