The archetypal elements of a wandering hero, obstacles getting home, manipulation, and religious attributes in The Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou reveals the universal message of the importance of being loyal to your family.
Both of the main characters in The Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou embark on a tedious journey where they encounter many obstacles that they must overcome with their crew alongside them. Their ultimate end goal is to find their way back home and reunite with their families and loved ones. In order to accomplish that, they must go through many trials and tribulations and face many adversaries. Both men travel the unknown with only the thought of being reunited with their families encouraging them to keep pushing forwards even when the odds are against them.
Although both Odysseus and Everett came across the sirens, only Odysseus had the strength to resist them while Everett and his men succumbed to their temptations. Because of their encounter with the sirens, Everett and Delmar believed that their friend Pete had been turned into a toad by the three women.
Odysseus ordered his men to restrain him and plug his ears with wax in order to prevent himself from going mad. After fighting for 10 years in a battle against Troy, Odysseus and his men sailed for home, only to end up on a mysterious island inhabited by the cyclops named Polyphemus. The men wandered into a cave looking for a crew member who had been turned into a pig, but as a result, became trapped in the cave with the menacing cyclops. Odysseus quickly devised a clever plan to stab Polyphemus in his eye and escape by riding underneath the sheep the next time the entrance was opened. The three fugitives met a three eyed foe of their own which they end up defeating at a later time.
Odysseus is a very prideful man who takes great risks to achieve victory even if it puts the life of others at stake. With his good looks and charisma, he is able to persuade and manipulate people at his will. Everett is very selfish and tricks his friends into going along with his plans by lying to them and making false promises. He takes his loyal friends for granted and takes advantages every chance he gets if it will benefit him. Both of them have a lack of empathy and compassion for others.
Although religion is an important aspect of both The Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou, each protagonist has differing opinions regarding it. Everett and Odysseus both come from cultures that value religion to a certain extent. In Greek culture, the most disrespectful and offensive thing anybody can do is insult Zeus.
The Greek gods are believed to have power over everyone and everything, and your fate is ultimately in their hands. For Everett, religion isn’t something he is invested in and doesn’t approve of many of the practices in Christianity. When he seen the men getting baptised and returning as new men forgiven of their sins, he thinks that it is absurd. In conclusion, Odysseus and Everett share many of the same traits and characteristics. They both have a desperate longing to return to their family and they will do anything to make it back and are both selfishly take advantage of others if it will benefit them.
