Paradise City?
Perhaps you’ve not had occasion to read one of the translations of the Odyssey. I have not. Perhaps a suitable on-ramp for reading the text is a viewing of Christopher Nolan’s film, which features Matt Damon as Odysseus. Odysseus in Homer’s tale is the king of legendary Ithaca, an island kingdom in the Ionian sea. Odysseus was obliged to join the expedition to avenge Spartan king Menalaus loss of his wife Helen to Paris, a prince of Troy. The conflict lasted for ten years, much longer than the aggressor assumed. The Greeks ultimately prevail through the subterfuge of the “gift” horse. Troy is burned, it’s inhabitants slaughtered or enslaved, as was the custom… The arc of the tale is familiar, as current events mirror the deadly “game” of war, – wholesale murder to assuage a leader’s ego insult.
The Odyssey is part II of the story. Odysseus, an officer under Agamemnon’s command at conflicts end, now must sail home. He has several ships crewed by his war-weary men. Homer’s great tale is a psychological and human saga of gods and men. The segment in Nolan’s film that most captured my attention followed the loss of the last of Odysseus’ men, and his ships. Odysseus washes up on the beach of a paradise island, injured and barely alive. He is nursed back to health by Calypso, a visually stunning goddess, an immortal who wants more than anything else companionship on her paradise island. She offers recovered Odysseus something that he is unlikely to refuse. Agree to remain on the island, and Calypso promises that he will live forever, on this island paradise without further hazard of storm seas, monsters, or the lethal wrath of the gods. The offer as it stood seems attractive enough. One additional aspect, Odysseus is addicted to consuming lotus blossoms. The pleasant effect makes it difficult to remember home, his wife and son waiting for him there.
I imagine myself as Odysseus, confronted with the ultimate temptation. Elimination of further suffering, aging, the prospect of death, with his late discovered friend Calypso (to whom he owes his life) a friend “with benefits”. Homer, a deft story teller tacks with the tale to further reveal the character of Odysseus as he opts for his memory of home, his Penelope and his son Telemachus. Odysseus decides to leave.
I found a worthwhile Youtube presentation of the Calypso segment. The youtube runs about 10 minutes. Enjoy! Would you tell me what you think?
This anthem, Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses treats a similar topic. This tune is an American story. Pay attention to the lyric!
