Different Character Portrayals From Book to Film Essays

Different Character Portrayals From Book to Film Essays Different Character Portrayals From Book to Film The Odyssey, the classic epic by Homer, has been retold for centuries since it was first written in ***. Each of these retellings differs from, one another, seeing as each version has a somewhat alternate take on the tale. This causes characters to be portrayed differently from translation to translation. After reading the retellings by John* Evslin and W.H.D. Rouse, as well as watching Konchalovslky's film version, it was clear one could detect visible differences between characters. Notable differences were most clearly seen in Odysseus, Anticlea, and Teiresias, who's depictions I will compare as they were described in Book XI of The Odyssey, "How Odysseus Visited the Kingdom of the Dead." Odysseus, the main character, is basically portrayed as a shrew, fearless, and smart man, cleverly weaving his way out of different dilemmas. After all, he is referred to as "the man who was never at a loss," and judging from his description in bot h film and different translations, this always seems to be true. However, there are several smaller differences in his character portrayal in different retellings. In Evslin's version, seeing as this version isn't greatly detailed, one can't gain such a feel for Odysseus' character as one can from Rouse's translation. Odysseus' lack of emotion may portray him to be rather uncaring, although he does treat the ghosts with whom he talks with respect, since he is just a guest in the Kingdom of Dead. However, it doesn't seem that the ghosts think as highly of him as they might in Rouse's version, seeing as Teiresias won't allow him to see Tantalus or Sisyphus, two ghosts that were doomed to suffer in Hades' Kingdom. Overall, from just reading this chapter, one can't tell a great deal about Odysseus' character. In Rouse's translation, Odysseus seems to have quite an esteemed presence in the Land of Dead. He seems to ... Page 1 of 5 Next be very kind and emotional, often shedding tears for those he sees dead. In this version, he has a much more seemingly realistic meeting with his mother. In this translation, not only does Odysseus see the souls as being wise, but the dead see him as having great knowledge as well. For example, quite a few of the dead that Odysseus speaks to question him about their relatives who are still alive and what his going on with thos ...