Nolan's 'The Odyssey' & The Power Of Hair In Greek Mythology
New minisode: Ancient Greek literature shows us: it was never and is never just hair.
Good morning,
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is out today. I saw a pre-screening Wednesday evening. The film is a feat, and the two hours and 52 minutes of run time flew by.
As you know, We Are Spiraling has great interest in ancient Greek and Roman art and how it portrays curly hair. Episode 5, How To Look Like A Greek God, interviewed the world’s premier hair archaeologist, about why curls were so prized.
Our latest minisode looks at “The Odyssey” through this lens. We explore Matt Damon’s representation of Odysseus and Zendaya’s Athena, and consider the role of hair in Greek literature and mythology.
In ancient Greek and Roman art, hair is often used to symbolize vitality, divinity, social status and emotional states. In the actual text of the Odyssey, Athena at one point transforms Odysseus. Translations say she made the hair grow thick on top of his head and flow down in curls like hyacinth blooms.
I love that description. Flow down in curls like hyacinth blooms. We should all refer to our tresses that poetically.
Be sure to let me know your favorite Zendaya in her Greek goddess era look in the comments.