Renowned scholar Daniel Mendelsohn has dismissed the burgeoning culture war surrounding Christopher Nolan's upcoming film adaptation of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," asserting that the criticisms are fundamentally misguided. The film, set to be released Friday, has ignited an online backlash, largely from right-wing commentators, who accuse Nolan of historical inaccuracy and "woke" casting choices.
Mendelsohn, a professor at Princeton and Bard who recently published his own translation of "The Odyssey," stated that there is little historical accuracy to uphold in adaptations of the ancient Greek epic. "Classic scholars know that both the Iliad and the Odyssey are a mishmash of different kinds of armor — clothing, speech, and different eras in the evolution of Greek culture," he explained.
Critics, including figures like Elon Musk, Ben Shapiro, and Megyn Kelly, have specifically targeted the casting of Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy and the decision to use contemporary dialogue. Musk claimed Nolan was "pissing on Homer's grave," while others have called the casting choices "disgusting."
Mendelsohn countered these points, noting that the characters in Homer's original work do not align with any specific historical appearance. He pointed out that actors like Matt Damon, cast as Odysseus, have largely escaped criticism despite not fitting a precise historical or geographical description. "Matt Damon doesn’t look a whole lot like an Eastern Mediterranean guy," Mendelsohn commented.
He also highlighted that Helen of Troy has a relatively minor role in the epic, suggesting the focus on her casting is misplaced. "It’s not the hill you want to die on," he said.
The scholar further argued that the notion of historical accuracy in adapting a mythological poem featuring gods, monsters, and witches is inherently flawed. He drew parallels to other stage and screen adaptations, such as operas with Black sopranos playing 16th-century queens or all-Black productions of "Macbeth," emphasizing that such artistic choices are common and accepted.
For Mendelsohn, the true measure of an adaptation lies in its ability to capture the spirit of Homer's original work, rather than adhering to rigid casting or linguistic standards. He confirmed he has seen Nolan's film and described it as a "mixed bag," with elements he found "incredibly well done" and others with which he took "issue."
Despite the controversy, "The Odyssey" is projected for a strong opening weekend, with forecasts suggesting it could earn up to $120 million. Mendelsohn anticipates that the film, much like Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" did for Roman history, will likely spur renewed interest in classical Greek literature among audiences.