As anticipation builds for a new cinematic adaptation of "The Odyssey," a recent street poll conducted by The Post in Midtown Manhattan revealed a diverse public understanding of the ancient Greek epic's plot. While some New Yorkers could accurately recount elements of Odysseus's perilous 10-year journey home, others confessed to having hazy or nonexistent memories of the classic tale, often learned in school.
One respondent, MTA employee Juan Hernandez, associated the story with the Trojan Horse, a pivotal element where Odysseus's forces tricked their way into Troy. "They climb out of the horse and into a big battle, right?" he asked, also expressing excitement for the "epic" film. Another individual, film composer Chris Hajian, recalled the episode with the Lotus Eaters, where Odysseus's men forget their past after consuming enchanted flowers.
High school student Emma Hardy, 17, noted that while "The Odyssey" is a common school assignment, specific details like character names can be elusive. "Everyone has to read it in school so you remember your favorite parts. Like the mermaids, the goddesses. But I don't think I could tell you their names," she said.
Fashion publicist Molly Roecker admitted her knowledge was "zero" but recognized the goddess Athena because she is portrayed by actress Zendaya in the upcoming film. The public's enthusiasm for the movie, however, appears strong, with early reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicating that IMAX tickets sold out within an hour.
The renewed interest in "The Odyssey" is also reflected in library circulation numbers. According to Connor Goodwin of the New York Public Library, over 1500 digital copies of the ebook and audiobook have been checked out, and requests for the print version have seen a 128 percent increase. Independent bookstores like McNally Jackson in Midtown have also reported the book is a bestseller.
Amidst the varying levels of recall, some New Yorkers expressed a strong connection to the epic. A finance intern named Alexis, who identified as Italian and Greek, emphasized the story's historical and adventurous significance, stating, "'The Odyssey' is so important. It's history. It's adventure. Come on."
Despite the public's varied familiarity with its source material, the upcoming adaptation is generating significant buzz, with reports of sold-out screenings and strong pre-release interest.