The right hates The Odyssey because of its âwokenessâ â but it missed an even bigger threat to its worldview | Peter Swallow
The new film extols the value of a rules-based world order. Thatâs far more radical than any casting decision Peter Swallow is Labour MP for
The new film extols the value of a rules-based world order. Thatâs far more radical than any casting decision Peter Swallow is Labour MP for Bracknell, and the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on classics. Before his election, he was a classics teacher and academic For years, a small but vocal corner of the extremely online right has looked to the ancient world to justify its polluted brand of politics.
The classicist Donna Zuckerberg (sister of Facebook founder Mark) wrote a book about it way back in 2018 called Not All Dead White Men a deep dive into the corners of the internet where misogynists pretend ancient philosophy can justify their hatred of minorities. You would think that these self-appointed guardians of the ancient world would be excited about a blockbuster retelling one of its greatest pieces of literature, the Odyssey.
Especially when Christopher Nolanâs film has been getting rave reviews, âthe vast majority ⌠written by menâ, as the Guardianâs Catherine Shoard has pointed out. The Odyssey is an action-packed thriller with a fight scene every five seconds. In many ways (and I donât mean this as a criticism of Nolan; I loved the film for all its flaws), itâs a movie designed to appeal to their tastes.
And yet. Peter Swallow is Labour MP for Bracknell, and the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on classics. Before his election, he was a classics teacher and academic Continue reading...
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