Jeffrey Carnes, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, was featured in a HuffPost UK article exploring the lasting cultural significance of Homer’s The Odyssey. The piece examined why Homer’s The Odyssey continues to captivate readers nearly 2,700 years after it was written. The ancient Greek epic is receiving renewed attention as the basis for Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation.

In the article, Carnes explained that The Odyssey endures because it combines memorable adventures with sophisticated storytelling. “The Odyssey has stuck with us so long because it has spectacular stories, Sirens, the Cyclops, Circe, that grab hold of our imaginations when we’re young,” he said in the article.

Carnes highlighted the communal experience of reading the epic, noting that “when we read it for the first time, we’re joining an age-old community of readers.” He also discussed the enduring appeal of Odysseus, describing him as a resourceful and curious character whose pursuit of knowledge often drives the story’s most memorable moments.

Read the HuffPost UK article.