The Ancient Story Behind ‘The Return’, Explained

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As a classic literature enthusiast with a penchant for Greek mythology, I must say that the tale of Odysseus is one that truly resonates with me. Having traversed the vast expanse of time and culture to find myself in this modern age, I find an uncanny parallel between my own life journey and that of the legendary hero.

Titled “The Return“, this film features Ralph Fiennes portraying the Greek hero, Odysseus, who embarks on a challenging journey upon returning home from the Trojan War. In his quest to reclaim his wife, Penelope (Juliette Binoche), and son, Telemachus (Charlie Plummer), Odysseus encounters torments from both his past and present enemies.

In this year alone, I’ve been captivated by Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of secretive realms, first in “The Conclave,” and now, in “The Return.” Reminiscent of the intense chemistry he shared with Juliette Binoche back in 1996’s “The English Patient,” their on-screen reunion is as gripping and emotionally resonant as that Academy Award-winning masterpiece.

As a passionate cinephile with an affinity for Greek history and myth, I’m well-acquainted with the legendary figure of Odysseus, whose tales echo profoundly in the epic poems penned by Homer – notably, the Iliad and the Odyssey. In these timeless narratives, Odysseus stands as a steadfast presence. However, The Return, an intriguing yet enigmatic retelling, skims over many aspects of his past, leaving me, and perhaps others, curious about the man behind the myth. The pre-The Return chronicles of Odysseus not only illuminate his significance in Greek mythology but also offer a poignant reflection on the real-life struggles he embodied.

Odysseus Fought Alongside Achilles and the Greeks Against Troy During the Trojan War

The kidnapping of Helen by Paris from Troy sparked King Menelaus of Sparta, Helen’s husband, to rally Greek warriors in an effort to retrieve her. Odysseus, who was once courting Helen, had since established a family with Penelope and had a son named Telemachus. At the time when the Trojan War broke out, Telemachus was still just an infant.

Odysseus did not want to go and acted as though he were mad to avoid it:

As a cinephile immersed in the epic tale, I donned a cap, feigning lunacy, and hitched a horse and an ox to the plow. The royal emissary, caught off guard by this spectacle, scooped up his son Telemachus from his cradle and positioned him before the plow, urging, “Abandon your charade, join me in the ranks of our allies.” In response, Odysseus vowed to appear.

It had also been prophesied that his homecoming after the war would be postponed due to a commitment he had as one of Helen’s former admirers. As the son of Laertes and a tactical mastermind, he was obligated to go. Odysseus was the one who persuaded Achilles to join the Trojan War, fighting on behalf of the Greek forces led by Menelaus’ brother, King Agamemnon of Mycenae.

As per the epic tale of the Iliad, Odysseus displayed remarkable bravery, joining forces with other esteemed Greek heroes such as Achilles, Nestor, and Ajax. What truly set Odysseus apart was his self-control, a trait that proved indispensable to the Greek effort. In the Iliad, the Greek troops often spoke of him in high regard.

You can’t count how many good things Odysseus has done for the Greeks, a real leader in council and in battle….

Odysseus Was the Man Behind (and Inside) the Famed Trojan Horse

The most renowned feature of the Trojan War is undoubtedly the Trojan Horse, which played a pivotal role in ending the long-standing battle. After years of bloodshed, with the deaths of Achilles and many others, Odysseus devised a clever strategy. He suggested building a large wooden horse and offering it as a gift to the gods.

The Greeks strategically placed a horse outside the fortifications of Troy under the guise of retreat. Convinced of their triumph, the Trojans assumed they could bring the horse into their city and celebrate, oblivious to the Greek soldiers concealed within the wooden structure. In the epic tale known as “The Odyssey”, it was Odysseus’ bravery that unfolded once the horse entered Troy.

Greek warriors emerged from within the horse and vacated their concealed attack, subsequently plundering the city… It was Odysseus who valiantly faced the fiercest battle, eventually triumphing with divine assistance from brave Athena.

Upon the fall of Troy, I, Odysseus, embarked on a decade-long quest to return home to Greece. The battles waged and the hardships endured left me deeply scarred, both physically and emotionally. Yet, my resolve remained unshaken, as strong as ever, to seek tranquility.

Before ‘The Return,’ Odysseus Faced Numerous Brutal Challenges Trying to Get Home

The narrative of The Return commences as Odysseus, bypassing the lengthy account of his voyage in the Odyssey, sets foot in Greece. Initially, upon his travels, he visited the territory of the Cicones, where a raid was conducted alongside his crew. Subsequently, deviations from their intended course led them to the island of the Lotus-Eaters. During this stay, the fearsome cyclops Polyphemus consumed some of Odysseus’ companions, but he managed to flee by employing cunning tactics. Enraged by this, Polyphemus implored his father, Poseidon, to mete out retribution against Odysseus, and the Sea God vowed to obstruct the Trojan War hero in his journey home.

Afterward, Odysseus pays a visit to Aeolus, the ruler of the winds, and receives a sack laden with wind for his journey back home. Unfortunately, while Odysseus is sound asleep, his companions open the sack, unleashing the wind prematurely, thus squandering its potential benefit for them. Subsequently, Odysseus and his crew come across the Laestrygonians, a tribe of man-eaters who savagely devour several of his sailors. In panic, Odysseus escapes, but soon finds himself confronting Circe, a sorceress. She uses her magic to metamorphose some of his crew members into pigs.

First, Odysseus journeys to the realm of the dead (Underworld) before coming across the Sirens. Next, he navigates treacherous waters home to the beasts Skylla and Charybdis, who swallow sailors and cause vortexes. Despite heavy losses, Odysseus persists, eventually staying five years with Calypso, a nymph on Ogygia. They conceive a son together, but Odysseus declines further offers of eternal life to forsake his child. Eventually, he encounters the Phaeacians on Scheria and is miraculously transported back to Greece.

Beyond just causing difficulties for Odysseus during his voyage back home, Polyphemus additionally warned him of turmoil and conflict awaiting him there. This central theme is what drives the story we know as The Return.

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2024-12-09 04:02