I think some things were a bit difficult for me to digest, because I am so used to listening to Indian stories of love and getting inspired by the devotion and selflessness. I actually loved listening to Odysseus and Penelope’s story, as it reminded me a bit of Sita and Ram.
I don’t know how authentic it is, but I also came to know that Paris had a wife called Oenone, when he lived as a shepherd. When he was dying from a poisoned arrow and begged her to heal him, she bitterly refused and told him to go back to Helen. Later, she changed her mind and rushed back to save him, as she still loved him. Unfortunately, it was too late. She jumped on his pyre out of grief. I think it is a beautiful story. To me, it shows that love can endure despite fights and bitterness.
Ram and Sita, Krishna and Radha, or for that matter, Arundhati and Vasistha, Anusooya and Atri, even Mandodari, the wife of Ravana, are unparalleled in the example of ideal love they have placed before us. I am completely in sync with the thought that Indian characters are incomparable in their spiritual greatness and idealism.
I have seen Troy and didn’t really like it. It didn’t develop the lead character, Achilles, the way he was in reality. But Odyssey is certainly better and a lot more relatable.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
