The Protean Mirror: Remaking The Odyssey for Today

For nearly three thousand years, The Odyssey has never remained the same. Every generation has retold Homer's epic in its own image, reshaping its heroes, themes, and meanings to reflect the concerns of its own time. In this episode, we explore the enduring legacy of The Odyssey through the lens of a controversial new film adaptation, examining why modern reinterpretations so often divide audiences. From debates over contemporary dialogue and artistic style to changing ideas about heroism and human nature, we trace the long history of artists reinventing one of literature's greatest stories. The story reveals that the true power of The Odyssey lies not in preserving a single definitive version, but in its remarkable ability to speak to every age—reminding us that each retelling tells us as much about ourselves as it does about the ancient world.https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/07/15/a-very-silly-adaptation-of-the-odyssey