[Narrator: Before we start this movie..]
[..let us look at this silent place at his winter ambient..]
[..because there is a true beginning of the story:]
[..on the shores of Turkey, near the Dardanels..]
[..where the Trojan plain is situated..]
[..and where 3000 years ago, a famous war was waged.]
[The city of which Homer sung, is above there,..]
[..as a pile of rubble.]
[We visited these ruins in the beginning,..]
[..and bring these small photos:..]
[..nine cities are build on top of eachother.]
[First, which is in lowest layer..]
[..is a village from the neolith, and on the side..]
[..there is a mighty fortress from the Mycenean age.]
[Its walls are heavily built *and inclined*..]
[..and that is a Homer city.]
[A magnificent and a happy city, which the Acheans,..]
[..coming from Greece by sea, completely demolished..]
[..some 1200 years BC. And for what?]
[Because of one woman, so tales the story.]
[But the real reasons are probably entirely different.]
[The reasons for this epic story are entirely lost.]
[Troy will never rise again. The wind blows dust over their ruins.]
*Still, there were smaller cities built later, which lasted until the Turks*
[Time has also erased all memory of it,..]
[..so it was even doubted that it ever existed.]
[That lasted till an archeologist, thrilled by Homer,..]
[..a German called Heinrich Shlieman, found Troy a century ago.] *Shlieman mostly damaged the place by his digging*
[Some of the things found clearly show..]
[..a holy road to the citadel,..]
[..the Skianian gate around which Homer placed a fabula of the Iliad..]
[..and a farewell speech of Hector and *his wife* Andromache.]
[So the visitor is full of emotions when he visits..]
[..this place of events near the river Skamader.]
[And when returning to Europe he may visit the museum in Athens..]
[..and gaze at the death masks of the Achean warlords..] *made of golden sheet*
[..he instantly believes that these are the true invaders of Troy,..]
[..which survived the war..]
[..and returned painfully to home.]
[Odyssey is a story of one that returned.]
The Odyssey (from the poem of Homer)
*Get its name by the main character Odysseus (meaning hated or wrathfull).*
*Latin name Ulysses, used in the movie, is actually a nickname and means wounded thigh, because a wild boar wounded him there*
*I made this translation initially into my native SERBIAN with the use of Internet translators. Now I translate it from Serbian to English.*
*..and since English is not my native language, I sincerely apologise for eventual mistakes and spelling errors. You are free to correct them*
*All notes (scolia) that I give for clarification or for deaf persons and are surrounded by asterisks.*
*During the translation I consulted two Serbian translations of the Odyssey, and Samuel Butler in English.*
*This translation I dedicate to all admirers of Homer. Enjoy THE BEST 7th art version ever*
*On Kephalonia. Summer 2010. In Odysseus' fatherland.*
Athena: If it's by your will O Zeus, that Odysseus returns to his home..
..I would go to Ithaca to encourage his son..
[Narrator: So says Athena, the blue-eyed goddess, daughter of Zeus..
[..and descend from the Olympus to Ithaca..] *Phonician 'Utica'=distant colony. Homeric Ithaca is spourious even today*
[..to the house of Odysseus, and make a human appearance..]
[..which the gods usually do when they show themselves to mortals.]
[She took the appearance of Mentis, the lord of Taphians.]
*Taphians were pirates and slave traders. Homer put them on the Echinades islands,..*
*..NW Greece, modern Lefkas.*
[On the floor, one women waved infinite cloth.]
[That's Penelope, wife of Odysseus.]
*Homer describes 'postmyceanean' time, when masters also do heavier works*
[From that chamber, which is the wedding room,..]
[..she rarely comes out, always thinking on a day..]
[..of her distant wedding, and thinking...]
[..about her future, and her son.]
- Welcome stranger. - Hello. - Please come,..
..this is my home.
So, you are Telemachus, son of Odysseus?
Mother calls me that.
But that's the name I never heared from Odysseus' lips.
Euriclea, a guest has arrived. Come here and eat.
[Narrator: Euriclea,..]
[..as a young girl she came to the court and nourished Odysseus.]
[Telemachus calls her nanny.]
Penelope, the stranger has come, and Telemachus has welcomed him.
Maybe he has some news about Odysseus!
Be aware queen, don't get fooled.
The world is full of people who travel with false names..
..and invent false adventures to charm the host.
This will be like the previous ones, who bring you the news..
..you wish to hear.
I am Mentis, the lord of Taphians, and my ship is anchored..
..below the mountain, opposite of Samos.
- So you know Ithaca? - Sure. I know it very well.
I spent years here in company of your father.
I've heared that your old man has returned.
No, that's false news. He is still absent.
*Noise, armory noise, tumult*
Who are those? I can see that they are keeping their weapons outside..
..of this court, but that they are taking others stuff. They give you no respect.
I don't respect them either.
- Are they your guests? - Guests? We used to have them..
..when this home was honored, and my father were in it.
But as you can see, things have changed..
..and now I feel disgraced.
Look, they are all pretenders of a throne.
*noise, tumult*
They come every day here. They are princes..
..and the elite from Ithaca and the other islands,..
..Samos, Zakintos, Doulichion. They come to ask for my mothers hand *Doulichion, unknown island*
-And your mother is obliged to choose? -She doesn't want that..
..but has no strenght to go alone. - I see.
- Does this last long? - Too much..
..they devour my property. That's all what they do.
*tumult*
Today they'll take a calf, lambs and porks..
..and slaughter them in the house. They make a barbeque.
*Chorus*: They devour all, they devour all..
..to humiliate the home of Odysseus.
Thieves. But thieves at least run far away when they steal..
..from fear that someone discovers them and kill them. But these no!
- Your father would wish to see this! - My father?!
If Odysseus would suddenly appear among them,..
..with a helmet, a sword and a bow, this sorry party..
..with suitors would abruptly end!
No stranger, we wouldn't see that happen in this house. I lost all hope.
The destiny of Odysseus is in the hands of the gods..
..but you, you must be strong. Go, and search for some news about him!
If your father is dead, go and fetch a boat..
..some of those on the shore, and bring your mother..
..an answer. But know that he is alive --
Telemachus, I am not a fortuneteller, but know that this is the truth.
Now, I must go. My company is waiting.
- Please stay! - Do what I told you to do.
- Where should I go? - Prepare a ship to Pylos,..
..to Nestor, a friend of your father. *Sandy Pylos,SW Peloponessus*
[Saying this, Athens disappeared, but in Telemachus heart..]
[..she inspired a strenght and a wish for his father..]
[..to always think of him.]
*Femius*: Look, Troy fell, and the walls collapsed..
..and the Achean warriors washed their armory in the waters of father Ocean... *Oceanos was considered to be father of all rivers*
[Narrator: Femius, bard, in the home of Odysseus sung..]
[..events of a distant past. He was a teacher to himself..
[..and he became famous, but he didn't sing here willfully..]
[..but the suitors forced him when they take over the court.]
Why have you stopped Femius? Because the queen has arrived?
You sing the same song every time Femius. Why?
Because WE like it. But if you want, we can..
..change the subject, like love for example--?
Mother, it's not Femius fault that he sings about tragic returns..
..of Acheans from demolished Troy, and that's what amuses..
.. the plunderers of this home. Why have you arrived anyway?
Where was that stranger? What did he want? Did he bring some news?
News you are awaiting? *about Odysseus*
The stranger has gone.
Why do you not say to your mother who it was?
Because my mother is delighted to bring fortunetellers and prophets to the court..
..and then they leave her deceived and discouraged.
-Shall I encourage her? -Telemachus, you are not a child anymore.
I've already been laughed at because of that.
If I would go.. Is that what you want?
To return to my father?
*It was a custom for a widow to return to her father, so that he marry her again to someone else*
Is that what you are thinking?
Your wishes and what about mine?
For how long should I suffer disgrace from these invaders?
Go to your room,..
..and get away from their eyes.
You have done too much for me till now, but for no one..
..I rule this home!
Hear me, suitors of my mother!
I summon an assembly of the elders for tomorrow! *that is the foundation of democracy and senat*
You should all come!
What is on Telemachus mind? What assembly?..
..so suddenly he summons assembly?
-Who advise him for that? -You are worrying too much?
Should we be afraid of a trick of a young boy?
He wants to summon assembly, and he doesn't even know of a purpose for that..
..so let us go to that assembly. - I don't like..
..surprises Antinoüs. - Me neither.
But we can't be beside other people.
And we shall go armed anyway.
So that our words will have weight.
Femius, Femius continue..
*Femius* Gold without measure, slaves, horses, and a host of sheeps as a booty..
..on strong ships they load. And some go..
..unaware of the anger of the mighty gods, for immensely spilled blood.
First sailed Ajax,.. *Ajax the Younger or Locrinus raped Cassandra in Athens temple (not Ajax the Elder)*
..to the Girian rock *near Eubea* where a raging sea plunged him..
..into the abyss. Then Menelaus with his ships..
..fell in an immens storm. After which Agamemnon departed,..
.. and he happily arrived.
His home welcomes him with grandeur, as a great warrior,
..hailed, crowned with glory. But all that suddenly expires,..
..when in a bathroom the sword of Egistus struck him,..
...and in blood drawn Agamemnon, first among the kings.
[Narrator: And when the night falls, the suitors go to sleep..]
[..out of the palace. So Telemachus closed the doors.]
I came to this palace as a young girl.
And I respect you as I've respected your father,..
..and I know your family very well. Thought a slave, I am still in this house..
..like a bride, even Laertes *Odysseus father* never looked at me like that..
..because the other servants envy me. - What are you trying to tell me nanny?
- Today I've seen your father in you, my son!
[Narrator: Assembly wasn't usual for that..]
[..part of the year. So Telemachus surprised many Ithacans.]
[First spoke the much respected Egyptius, oldest one.] *holds the scepter, symbol of power..*
[Knowing that the strangers are also among the public,..] *..till he holds the scepter, no one interrupts him*
[..he spoke directly to Telemachus. Was this the reason for the assembly?]
Maybe he has some news about our army..
..which is absent or disappeared. What ever the reason,..
..we should listen to him.
Telemachus wishes to say us something, seriously..
..which we shouldn't ignore. Give him the divine scepter. He is an adult man!
[Narrator: The mentor assisted Telemachus,..]
[..because he is an old friend of Odysseus, who left him..]
[..to watch over his home till his return.]
I speak to those who still remember, to those who know..
..or have you already forgotten?
No, you are wrong. This was a happy land,..
..till a voice of war had come to us..
..against Troy. And we obey that. Odysseus took..
..our best men and loaded them on *twelve* ships. No, we didn't..
..forget. Odysseus should give us account for all of that!
*weaponry noise, tumult, murmurs*
Wait gentleman.
You can't enter with weapons. You are desecrating the rights..
..of the people to free speech and this kingdom.
Of what king do you speak? I'm telling for years..
..that this island needs one.
Sit. Sit.
You are hoping that my father is dead, so that you can take his place..
..and all what you do is that you don't even respect the faithfulness of my mother..
..and you want to marry her by force. Every day you come here,..
..invade my house, devour my property and drink my wine.
I'm not as strong as my father, but even if I was I couldn't..
..get rid of them alone. So please Ithacans!
Defend the honor of my home,..
..as he honored you! Or if Odysseus does something..
..against you so you want to revenge on me? Rather then..
..you take my property if you'll expell..
..this wolf pack! - Telemachus has right!
We are not angry at him but at his mother!
For three years she was making promises.
She oftenly gives them, and even more oftenly chanhages them..
..but she never clearly says NO. So we wait,..
.. and wait. And then come the lords from the other lands..
..princes from the nearby islands, and she still decides..
..so there is a guilty one! - At the end she got an idea..
..to start weaving. She said: Wait..
..for me to weave a funerary cloth for Laertes,..
..the father of Odysseus, because he said that will be..
..the last thing to attach him to this house."
"I don't want that Achean woman reproach me if I return..
..to my father that I was a bad wife."
So she says, and we respect her wish,..
..but from then more than a year had past.
And she never finished the cloth!
To those cunningness is in blood!
So we said to Telemachus to send her to Icarius,..
..her father, that she may marry again..
..asap and for whom she chooses!
Why don't you take her to Icarius?
To Icarius? That's what you want?
Icarius wouldn't hesitate. He would marry her somewhere else.
- Telemachus knows that very well. - Ithaca needs a king!
I won't force my mother to anything.
So we shall stay in this house till she makes up her mind.
It can't go any longer like this. If my father is--
Your father is dead. How much time had past that others returned..
..from the coast of Troy, and no voice from your father.
And even if he is alive, he is somewhere far away,..
..so today after ten years we declare him dead.
Dead for the queen, dead for Ithaca, and dead for all of us!
You open our old wounds Eurimachus, and it's true what you are saying..
.. but and our sons are dead. They went..
..with Odysseus, and mine with them, and you are not believing us.
You have destroyed all my hope. Thus I..
..summon all the gods to avenge me.
I'll pray to them that you all perish for your misdeeds.
That's an omen. All I've heared, all I've seen..
..when I look in bulls guts, all came true. *Guts of sacrificed animals were used for divination*
On the day when Odysseus departed, I've seen returns and slaughter.
On the 20th year there will be joy and there will be darkness.
*16.Apr.1178 was Apollo's holliday, on the first spring the new Moon and total Solar eclipse*
Enought with the superstition,..
..get out you scum, get out. You'll see the future..
..go and tell it to your children -- Eurimachus!
- Lazy thug! - Eurimachus! You and your pretenders,..
..on the hand of my mother, -- I won't ask you again.
But I want one thing: Give me a ship and company..
..so that I can go and search for my father. If he's alive..
..I'll wait for one year. But if he isn't, I'll come back..
..to Ithaca and send my mother to Icarius.
Hear me too Ithacans. I want to judge these nobles.
They are suitors, and they use their rights..
.. but with very rude metods. So I'll speak for those of you who are silent.
They are few, and you are mulitude.
WE are multitude and not few! We have enough force..
..to repel any attack, whoever would dare,..
..even your father personally.
And be assured that even Penelope Wouldn't be happy..
..if he would come and decide to go on us..
..because we would kill him like a dog. Citizens,..
..dismiss this useless assembly!
Get out. Out. All go to work.
*tumult and weapon noise* Get out.
[Narrator: Athena taking the form of Mentor said:]
[..there is plenty of old and new ships on Ithaca.]
[Go and find some better of them.]
- Telemachus, what a speech. - Come and drink with us.
We'll give you a ship and company, so that you can go..
..and search for your father. - I'll go,..
..but not on your ship. - Telemachus, you really want..
..to drop dead? Maybe you throw us to the dogs when you come back.
Oh no. Maybe he'll go to Epirus to buy a venom to poison us.
Spare us from the effort and divide your property..
..if you don't come back. *laughter* - But not to this court.
We shall divide to those whom your mother chooses. *laughter*
You that came yesterday and tell me..
..to travel to the end of the sea to search for your father..
..and to come back alive to Ithaca, please help me.
Help me to return alive.
- What are you doing here? - Expecting a ship.
- Ship? Why? - Do you think I'm still..
..a child? I'm going to Nestor in Pylos.
He was also in Troy.
If someone has news of Odysseus, that must be him.
Odysseus is dead. What can you found there?
If you go, those here will do anything to kill you.
Stay here and watch for your home. Don't go.
It'll be greater misery if you don't come back!
I oblige you not to tell anyone! - Not even your mother?
Not even her nanny, till she asks for me.
Don't let her fade from sorrow.
[Narrator: The blue-eyed goddess has fetched..]
[..a ship for Telemachus. The sun has sunk to the sea..]
[..and darkness covered the roads, when Athena,..]
[..in the form of Mentor, guided Telemachus preparing a ship,..]
[..with strong sailors.]
*Mentor from the Odyssey enters in many languages as senior tutor.*
[The wind filled the sail,..]
[..and foam sprinkled under the keel.]
[Sailors, tighten the ropes, the exhausted took a jar..]
[..with wine to salute the gods.]
[Thus the ship rode on the waves.]
[And on Ithaca, Penelope like every night before..]
[..unwove cloth which she wove during the day.]
Hurry, hurry.
Telemachus isn't here. He didn't return yet.
[Narrator: Melante, beautiful cheeks,..]
[..whom Penelope look like as if a daughter, and she still never..]
[..respected Penelope. Instead she got close to Antinoüs.]
So there is a solution of the mystery. Cloth which during the day increases..
..and shrinks overnight. -Are you stuck to deal with the weaving..
..thus you have a finished cloth for Laertes.
Penelope: ..and thus I finished weaving..
..and don't know any more how to avoid a wedding.
I don't know how to find a new trick.
You are one who gave a boat to Telemachus?
- Willingly or not? - I have no reason to refuse.
- Who asked you for a ship? - Don't remember.
Take this small excitement.
Am I not free to give my ship to any whom I like?
[Narrator: Till Noemon sat and spoke that what he saw..]
[..god on the ship they laughed. But immense fury came over..]
[..their souls, Antinoüs more then others.]
I gave willingly my ship, and many other boys..
..wish to go with him.
And if they found Odysseus, You'll pay everything you wasted.
Pour, pour Telemachus wine. That's better than to worry of..
..his scout. Gimme, drink.
For me he is nothing but spoiled braith, and if its by me..
..I would show him what he deserves. -No, we shouldn't do like that.
Someone help him,..
..we should kill him in the assembly, and not let him go!
You have mocked him in the assembly!
Well, how could Telemachus be dangerous?
- Don't underestimate him because he's young. - He went to the main land,..
..but we all know that no one would come..
..to fight with us.
A ship. We will lurk for him in return between Samos and Ithaca..
..and I don't believe he'll see his home again.
Messenger Medont, what news do you bring?
Has some news arrived? Do they complain..
..on accomodation? - No queen, I've come..
..to secretly express my loyalty to you.
- Loyalty. You don't have a damn clue what it is. You are like the others.
Like others you forgot Odysseus' kindness.
I come to say that your son has gone.
Telemachus left with the ship by night, but I don't know where to.
Damn it. Why has no one told me? Sloths.
Punish me. I only know. He swore me not..
..to tell you so that you won't suffer.
Gone? Why? With what reason? By boat?
He is young, so young to navigate a ship.
Queen, a great danger is upon him. the lords know..
..that and they prepare a trap for him,..
..in the narrow of Samos and Ithaca.
*Same is Phoenecian for 'high place'*
*Modern day Kefallonia,or the city opposite Ithaca*
He has gone. First his father and now him.
Why didn't he tell me anything? Why had he gone? Why?
-Don't despair queen. -He has done that..
..what every son would do. He has gone to search for his father.
You'll see he'll come back. He'll come back soon.
Why didn't he tell me anything?
He has left me alone. It's better that he would never been born.
Now they want to kill him.
Father Zeus, Athena,I beg you! Save my son.
*Chorus*: Save her a son, Save her a son.
-Save my son. *Chorus*: Save her a son, Save her a son.
[Narrator: The sun has rissen, leaving a beautiful sea,..]
[..to copper glimmering sky, to shine upon the immortal gods..]
[..and all human offspring on Earth.]
[And they arrive in Pylos, the home of Nestor..]
[..one of the Achean kings who demolished Troy.]
[Narrator: On a blue seashore..]
[..Nestor and his sons make offerings to the earthshaking god *Poseidon* lord of the blue sea.]
[Nestor begins with the ritual cleaning.]
[With prayers he makes the offerings.]
[His sons drags bull.]
[Trazimedes brings a sharpened axe.]
*on very special occasions, they slain hundred oxes*
*That sacriface is called hekatomb*
*Before sacrifice, Homer says thay would goldplate horns*
You awake painful memories..
.. on our sufferings under Troy. There we left..
..our best: Achilles, Patroclus, Ajax *Ajax the Elder, who went mad and killed himself*..
..and my son Antilochus, valiant warrior.
It was a long war. Nine years we fought with Trojans..
..and their numerous allies.
We exhausted all our powers and abilities.
In the end, Zeus decided to finish this endevour.
For all those years, no one surpassed your father..
..Odysseus in wisdom, courage and cunningness. *By Homer: polytropon=manyturnning*
You don't know that, but I know. His wisdom..
.. was completely infinite, but what I admire most..
..is the cunningness of his heart. *heart,not brain considered center of intelect* Know that always when there was a quarrel..
..we both together work to preserve the Achean unity..
..and almost always we would succeed.
And when the city was destroyed, and the treasures dispersed..
..and the females divided, the god divided us.
Zeus prepared for us a sad returning because in victory we weren't..
..just. So we suffer.
Some with Menelaus wished an immediate return.
Others with Agamemnon wished to end sacrificing to Athena..
..to appease an angry goddess. *because raping of Cassandra in Athena's temple*
Like she would change her mind because of one ram or bull!
So Agamemnons fleet stayed anchored on shore.
Half of the rulers board with Menelaus and left.
Odysseus and I were among them
Somewhere after Lesbos, where we shortly stopped, without any losses..
..a terrible storm fall on us. Such storm I've never seen.
Maybe because horror befall on all..
..some hide themselves, som get drowned.
We completely lost course. Diomedes and I make repairments..
..and run to a shore. Your father however..
..turn ships back and tries to reach..
..Agamemnons fleet. From there I don't know anything about him.
This is my son you didn't meet.
This is the son of Odysseus, Telemachus
Your search and that what inspires her are just but I..
..cannot help you much. But there is a man who..
..can tell you news about father. Menelaus of Sparta.
He was the last to return and he travelled much among man..
..foreign and distant. He and Helen will tell you something about Odysseus..
..and my son will follow you. You can go tomorrow.
Wait.
[Narrator: In a room above, lies a hungry Penelope,..]
[..thinking of her innocent son and did he evade..]
[..death or fall in the hands of the suitors.]
[How many thoughts a scarred lion thinks when people surround him..]
[..and put him a death trap..]
[..-so she was thinking.]
[But sweet dreams overcome her. Laying down..]
[..she finally relaxes her body.]
[and blue-eyed goddess Athena, does a new trick.]
[She made her appearance of Iftyma,..]
[..the sister of Penelope, daughter of the noble Icarius.]
Penelope, don't cry. The gods don't want that.
Iftima, it's you?
It's me, your sister.
For how long didn't we see eachother when you lived far away.
Why are you on Ithaca. Why?
I've come to help you.
Then you've heared that I lost my husband, and my son..
..left me too. -Yes, I know,..
..but don't suffer yourself Penelope, but instead believe.
I'm afraid. They want to kill Telemachus and they lurk for him..
..before he comes back to Ithaca. How should I not worry?!
He's so young and inexperienced!
Who knows what dangers waits for him, those worries can't leave me!
Don't be afraid Penelope, Athena has mercy on you,
..and will bring you back Telemachus alive.
Athena? You can hear Athena?
Tell me: Odysseus, where is he?
[Narrrator: Great waves throw Odysseus all over.]
And like boreus *north wind* in autumn scattering leaves..]
[..over meadow, and they roll and stick to each other,..]
[..so winds carry Odysseus raft over sea.]
[First Boreus catch him from front, then Noto *south wind* from aside..]
[..and then Zefirus would overcome *west wind*.]
[So tireless waves would come back over and over again..]
[..to discord timbers and untie cords.]
[Odysseus hurried over and over again, to put them back in place, thinking..]
[..at distant about a lovely and courageous wife..
[..and a son he has never seen. All day he fought..]
[..with wind and sea. In a moment the sail would hang..]
[..like an useless rag nailed on the mast.]
[And in a moment the wind would blow sail to the breaking point..]
[..and the mast moan like it would break.]
[Then Odysseus would fold him or put it to dry.]
[But in the end, the wind had casted him into the sea, just like two boys..]
[..cast a ball but without a third one to catch it.]
[Thus Odysseus protect the sails from waves all times..]
[..in a mortal combat that waves don't wash him away..]
[..and wonder how much more he must endure..]
[..and how much time the struggle will last *gk.:agon=struggle*.
asterisk@krstarica.com corrected by info@wiseoldgoat.com