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Al Barauskas's avatar

I bought tickets several days ago to see The Odyssey later today. Like most people, I’m guessing, I was looking forward to the large screen, special effects, and big-name acting.

So this essay is particularly timely for me. It’s a brilliant read. I’ve never been one to interpret the hidden meanings in poems or great works of fiction. I’ve gravitated toward non-fiction with its factual content.

This essay knits together the various interests I’ve been pursuing in recent months - the cosmos, quantum physics, Stoicism and Buddhism, consciousness, “manifestation” and awakening. I doubt I would have discovered the true meaning of Homer’s epic story without this essay from The Vertical Dispatch arriving in my email last night. It’s all beginning to make sense to me. Thank you.

The Vertical Dispatch's avatar

Let me know how the essay aligns with the movie. Thank you

Al Barauskas's avatar

The essay added a whole new dimension to the movie, something I would not have discovered on my own. It enhanced the film tremendously for me. I’ll have to reread the essay to see how well it aligned with the movie… I don’t recall anything about the olive tree toward the end.

Marnie's avatar

Thank you, Glenn for this interpretation of the Odyssey. I read it many years ago as an adventure tale; now it’s time for a deeper read as described by you. I am anticipating with pleasure your upcoming series on the great books for the soul’s journey.