Homer's Odyssey Explained Ahead of Christopher Nolan's Film

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Need to brush up on Homer's Odyssey before the Christopher Nolan movie arrives? We've got a complete beginner's guide on the epic poem right here, so you can get up to speed on the essential Greek mythology to enjoy the new film.

Below, we've broken down what the epic poem is and what it's actually about, as well as its connection to the Iliad and the Trojan War. Plus, we've got a character guide on all the major players in the movie, to help you know who's who.

So, for all you need to know ahead of The Odyssey , head to the below. This is one of the most exciting upcoming movies of the year, so it's well worth knowing your stuff. For more, you can check out our ranking of the best Christopher Nolan movies .

What is The Odyssey poem?

(Image credit: Universal Pictures) The Odyssey is an epic poem dating back to ancient Greece. Its authorship is attributed to a poet named Homer. He is also credited with the Iliad, another epic poem which is set during the Trojan War and takes place before the events of The Odyssey. However, whether Homer was a real person, and whether this person composed both poems, is a matter of debate.

These poems were not actually 'written,' but were passed down in oral traditions, until they were eventually set to paper for us to enjoy thousands of years later.

What is The Odyssey poem about?

(Image credit: Universal Pictures) The tale picks up after the end of the Trojan War, which is probably one of the most famous stories ever told. The war was sparked by the Trojan prince Paris absconding with Helen of Troy (whether she went willingly or not varies) and led to an alliance of the Greeks, led by Agamemnon (brother of Menalaus, Helen's husband), laying siege to the walled city of Troy. The war lasted 10 years, though most of the action came at the very end.

The hero of the Odyssey, Odysseus, came up with the ingenious plan of building a wooden horse to hide the Greek army inside, disguised as an offering to the gods after the Greek forces supposedly retreated. The Trojans took the horse inside their gates, and then the city was brutally sacked by the Greek forces. It's not a happy or triumphant ending to the tale, but Helen is returned to her husband, and the Greek army leaves for home.

But, Odysseus has a terrible time trying to get back to his island of Ithaca, and this is the story that the Odyssey covers. His journey takes him another 10 years, while, at home, his wife Penelope awaits his return, endlessly weaving (and then secretly unpicking her work overnight) to distract scores of belligerent suitors who wish to marry her, assuming Odysseus is dead. Odysseus has fantastical adventures on his way home, like facing a cyclops, giants, and a powerful witch, and it's these the film will depict.

How is The Odyssey connected to the Iliad?

(Image credit: Universal Pictures) The Odyssey is something of a sequel to the Iliad. The Iliad is another epic poem attributed to Homer, and it tells the story of a decisive chapter of the Trojan War. It involves heroes you may well have heard of – Achilles, Hector, Ajax, and Odysseus himself, to name a few – as well as the gods and goddesses of Greek myth.

The Iliad poem does not actually tell the story of the entire war, however. Instead, it focuses on a short period of time towards the end of the fighting, specifically a climactic showdown between the Greek hero Achilles and the Trojan hero Hector, which ends with Hector's death.

In fact, there isn't strictly one text that tells the entire story of the Trojan War – instead, our understanding of it comes from multiple sources. The Trojan Horse and the fall of Troy is perhaps most famously depicted by the Roman poet Virgil's Aeneid. However, the Trojan Horse is mentioned in the Odyssey by Menelaus, husband of Helen, as well as Helen herself, and the Odyssey also contains flashbacks to the war.

The Iliad has its own modern, big budget film adaptation in 2004's Troy. This movie takes some hefty liberties with the source material, but captures the general story.

The Odyssey character guide

Below is a character by character breakdown of all the major players in The Odyssey movie. However, the information is based on the mythology, so they might be represented differently in the movie. We're also keeping things spoiler-free for events that might occur in the film and might ruin your experience if you know about them ahead of time.

Matt Damon as Odysseus

(Image credit: Universal) Odysseus is the main character of the story. It was his idea to build the infamous Trojan Horse and hide inside of it to be smuggled through Troy's walls. Then, he sets off for home with his men, but they are soon lost – and remain lost for 10 years.

Anne Hathaway as Penelope

(Image credit: Universal) Penelope is Odysseus's wife. She hasn't seen her husband in 20 years – the Trojan War took 10 years, and then Odysseus is lost for another 10. Her home is crowded with suitors who wish to marry her and claim the throne of Ithaca, but Penelope keeps them at bay by saying she won't wed until she has finished her weaving. But, each night, she secretly unpicks her work.

Tom Holland as Telemachus

(Image credit: Universal) Telemachus is the son of Odysseus and Penelope. He sets off on a quest of his own in the hopes of finding news of Odysseus to bring home.

Robert Pattinson as Antinous

(Image credit: Universal Pictures) Antinous is one of the many suitors in Penelope's hall. He is their de facto leader, and he's a brutal, unlikeable character who targets Telemachus.

Zendaya as Athena

(Image credit: Universal Pictures) Athena is the goddess of wisdom, and Odysseus is a particular favorite of hers. In the poem, she appears to Odysseus on his voyage in disguise.

Samantha Norton as Circe

(Image credit: Universal) Circe is a powerful witch, daughter of Helios the sun god, and sister to Aeëtes (King of Colchis and father of Medea, both prominent figures in the tale of Jason and the Argonauts), and Pasiphaë (Queen of Crete and mother of the Minotaur, the beast famously slain by the hero Theseus in the labyrinth). In the poem, Odysseus and his crew take refuge on her island of Aeaea, at their peril.

Charlize Theron as Calypso

(Image credit: Universal) Calypso is a nymph who lives on the island of Ogygia and is a daughter of the Titan Atlas (he's the one who holds the world on his shoulders). Odysseus ends up on her island, and Calypso isn't keen on the idea of letting him go.

Jon Bernthal as Menelaus

(Image credit: Marvel Studios) Menelaus is the husband of Helen of Troy (at first known as Helen of Sparta) and the brother of Agamemnon, who is leader of the Greek army. Helen is stolen away (or goes willingly, depending on the interpretation) by Paris, a prince of Troy, and the Greeks go to war to get her back.

Benny Safdie as Agamemnon

(Image credit: Universal) Agamemnon is leader of the Greek army and brother of Menelaus, husband of Helen of Troy. Agamemnon gathers forces from across Greece to go to Troy and lay siege to the city. The war lasts for 10 years, and Agamemnon survives and returns home, though his story doesn't end there. He's married to Clytemnestra, twin sister of Helen of Troy.

Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy

(Image credit: Marvel Studios) Helen of Troy (or Sparta, originally) is the most beautiful woman in the world, and she's married to Menelaus. When Helen and Menelaus married, all the other suitors vying for Helen's hand swore an oath to defend her, should she ever be stolen away. She was later either taken by Paris, a prince of Troy, or went with him willingly – it all depends on the source and the interpretation (the Iliad has her going of her own accord). Either way, her disappearance sparks the 10 year Trojan War. During the war, Helen is safe behind Troy's walls. When the Greeks win, she is returned to Menelaus.

Elliot Page as Sinon

(Image credit: Universal) Sinon is a Greek soldier who helps deceive the Trojans into accepting the Trojan Horse. Interestingly, he doesn't actually show up in either of the Homeric poems, but can be found in other sources (including Virgil's Aeneid).

Himesh Patel as Eurylochus

(Image credit: Universal) Eurylochus is Odysseus's second-in-command on the voyage home, and he's also married to Odysseus's sister. He isn't portrayed in a very flattering light in the epic poem, however, and is seen as a coward.

Mia Goth as Melantho

(Image credit: A24/Universal Pictures) Melantho is a slave in Penelope and Odysseus's household. However, despite being Penelope's favorite, she betrays the family by siding with the suitors.

John Leguizamo as Eumaeus

(Image credit: Universal) Eumaeus is a swineherd and a dear friend of Odysseus's, and he was also raised alongside Odysseus, too.

Ryan Hurst as Mentor

(Image credit: Prime Video) Mentor is a friend of Odysseus's, and he was tasked with taking care of Telemachus after Odysseus left for the Trojan War.

The Odyssey arrives on July 17. While you wait, check out our guide to all the biggest movie release dates of the year to get planning your theater trips.