2000 Coen Brothers adventure film O Brother, Where Art Thou? is an American adaptation of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey. This recent comedy follows three escaped convicts in search of hidden treasure. Despite the notable gap between the creation of these two works, the film reflects many of the common themes present in the epic poem. But what makes the film an adaptation rather than a direct recreation is its setting; the film is set in a caricatured version of the American South during the Great Depression. Therefore, based solely on the location in which it takes place, the film is unable to fit other themes and events present in Homer's poem. Additionally, due to where and when the film is set, the customs incorporated into the film's culture give the story the ability to adapt to the events of the Odyssey. Versions of these events still happen in the film; they are simply about the culture in which it is set. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Overall, the setting of O Brother, Where Art Thou? it is the main cause of discrepancy and unity with The Odyssey, which certainly indicates the quality of this adaptation. The most common similarities between the Coen film and The Odyssey are thematic or characteristic; since the events of the plot are changed in the film adaptation, what unifies the film with the poem is the way in which the original themes and characters of the Odyssey persist. For example, in both works, the protagonist Ulysses in The Odyssey and Ulysses, otherwise known as Everett, in O Brother, Where Art Thou? reflect the same characteristics. Both men are very cunning and, in some cases, are known for their ability to speak. In the Odyssey, Odysseus encourages his crew to continue their journey through hardship as he says, "surely we are not unlearned in evils / This is no greater evil now than it was when the Cyclops was forcibly confined in his hollow cave and violence /...Then do as I tell you, let us all be conquered.” (12.210-213) and as a result, his crew "quickly obeyed my [Odysseus's] words." This is also present in Coen's film as Everett talks a lot more than his two companions and always leads them in their escapades This can also be observed through the cinematography of the film as Everett is always positioned higher compared to the other two escaped convicts. From a thematic point of view, O Brother, Where Art Thou? ties in closely with the themes presented in the Odyssey; the film is simply set in a completely different era works is family in relation to the concept of homecoming. Everett states that he has "traveled many miles to return with my wife and children" (O brother, where art thou?). from his family, says he has to “go to our [his] estate with its many orchards / to see my noble father who grieved for me constantly" (23.354-355). Even through all their trials and tribulations, both of their families are a big priority. Between the poem and the film, the most notable similarities between them concern their shared themes and characteristics, which make them conceptually much easier to compare. However, since the film is an adaptation, it does not follow word for word everything that happened in The Odyssey. Due to the film's setting and common standards in American cinema, O Brother, Where Art Thou? separates.