Homeward Bound In The Odyssey

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Jackson Mitschke 11/15/15 “Homeward Bound” in relation to The Odyssey by Jackson Mitschke Picking theme songs for movies can take long thought and requirement; choosing a theme song for a movie based on The Odyssey would stand as no exception. Many things would have to be considered for similarities between the song and The Odyssey. These things could include structure, lyrics, themes, and the overall tone of the song and the epic poem. Each specific detail would need to be considered or one small difference might not make it an ideal theme song. The song, “Homeward Bound”, by Simon and Garfunkel, fits the ideal style of a theme song for a movie based on The Odyssey due to its manipulative structure, its lyrics that resemble feelings …show more content…

Notably, the song in the chorus describes how at home his love remains waiting silently for him. Likewise in The Odyssey, Penelope remains loyal to Odysseus through all the pandemonium from the suitors and nearly a 20 year absence from Odysseus. In one such instance with Penelope talking with Eurymachus, she describes the pride she has for herself and her marriage with Odysseus by saying ”'Eurymachus, all my excellence, my beauty and figure, were ruined by the immortals at that time when the Argives took ship for Ilion, and with them went my husband, Odysseus. If he were to come back to me and take care of my life, then my reputation would be more great and splendid(18.251-255).” Furthermore, the lyrics of the song constantly deal with the desire to return home; similarly, this is a common story development for Odysseus in The Odyssey. Choosing this song as the theme song would also be ideal with the context of the words of the song as it relates to the epic …show more content…

The lyrics of the song at some points feel that the singer is pleased about thinking about home, however at the same time the singer remains upset that he is not home. In the same way, the themes reinforced in this song, nostos and catharsis, deal with emotions of contentedness and displeasure at the same time as well. Furthermore, some of the chords used in the song at some points make the listener feel that the singer is happy to return home, but at the same time the reader is upset. This adds to the overall bittersweet tone of the song. The bittersweet feeling stands as a common tone not through this song only but The Odyssey as well. Certainly “Homeward Bound” would fit a Odyssey movie theme song due to its striking similarities between the epic poem and