Need help with this activity:
'Write a proposal suggesting ways for the Odyssey to be made into a movie that's set in the present. Imagine that the readers of the proposal will be the producers of the movie. Explain how you would modernize the epic.'
So how do I make the following things modern?
Trojan War is background
Hero is soldier who fought in war
He travels around Mediterranean and down to underworld
He uses ships with oars and sails
He meets Lotus Eaters, Sirens, Cyclops, Scylla and Charybdis.
He is tempted by Calypso and Circe.
Fortune hunters at home hound his wife.
Dog lives on garbage heap.
Son is insulted.
Gods affect the action.
Please help
Thanks
-MC
Those are the main points.... now, put those into today's world. Say this person is on his way back from the war in the Near East. Who might he meet? What temptations might he run into. What might be happening to his wife in today's ecomomy? What problems might his son be having? This could be a really neat story.
Think of the places U.S. troops are fighting today -- Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Imagine your war hero traveling other places on his way home after his tour of duty is over.
What temptations would he have? What lands would he see?
To modernize The Odyssey into a present-day movie, you will need to adapt the various elements of the story to fit a contemporary setting. Below are some ideas on how to make each aspect more modern:
1. Trojan War as the background: Instead of the Trojan War, consider using a modern conflict or war that is widely recognized, such as a fictionalized version of a recent historical event or a contemporary conflict that resonates with audiences.
2. Hero as a soldier who fought in the war: Transform the soldier into a modern-day war veteran, dealing with the physical and psychological consequences of their combat experience. This character could represent the struggles that many soldiers face upon returning from war.
3. Traveling around the Mediterranean and down to the underworld: Replace the Mediterranean with a different geographic region, such as a war-torn country or a dystopian society. The journey to the underworld can be reimagined as a metaphorical descent into the depths of trauma and personal challenges.
4. Ships with oars and sails: Modernize the transportation by using modes of transportation relevant to the present, such as a military drone or a futuristic submarine. These modern vehicles can still capture the essence of the original odyssey.
5. Mythical creatures and challenges: Adapt the encounters with Lotus Eaters, Sirens, Cyclops, Scylla, and Charybdis to modern forms. For example, the Lotus Eaters can be portrayed as people who are addicted to a substance, while the Sirens can represent the seductive allure of modern temptations. The Cyclops can be a powerful antagonist who embodies some of the destructive elements of society.
6. Temptations by Calypso and Circe: Translate these temptations into contemporary forms. Calypso can be reimagined as a seductive figure who represents the lure of fame or success, while Circe could symbolize an individual who manipulates others for personal gain or power.
7. Fortune hunters hounding the hero's wife: Update this aspect to include the challenges faced by the hero's family in a modern society. The fortune hunters could be portrayed as opportunistic individuals who aim to exploit the hero's absence for personal gain.
8. Dog living on a garbage heap: In a modern context, the dog can still be portrayed as a neglected or stray animal, but living in an urban environment and reflecting the hardships faced by marginalized communities.
9. Son being insulted: The son can face social challenges and discrimination based on his connection to the hero, reflecting issues prevalent in today's society, such as bullying, prejudice, or cyberbullying.
10. Gods affecting the action: The influence of the gods can be represented through powerful and influential individuals or institutions in the modern world, such as politicians, media figures, or technology conglomerates. These figures can manipulate events and characters, posing challenges and obstacles for the hero.
These suggestions serve as a starting point to help modernize The Odyssey into a present-day movie. Remember to maintain the core themes and lessons of the original work while adapting them to resonate with a contemporary audience.