Why 'The Odyssey' Is the West’s Greatest Story | Plain English

Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is finally here, but how exactly has a 3,000-year-old story endured long enough to become the foundation of Western storytelling? Derek is joined by Karen Ní Mheallaigh, chair of Classics at Johns Hopkins University, to explore the mysterious origins of Homer's epic and the timeless themes that have captivated audiences for millennia. They discuss how 'The Odyssey' outlived thousands of other ancient poems, how its story of homecoming and hospitality shaped Western literature, and why filmmakers and creatives like Christopher Nolan keep returning to its core ideas. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at [email protected]. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: Karen Ní Mheallaigh Producer: Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Ben Glicksman