Prophecy is an important concept in the Greek and Roman literatures and mythology. Prophecy happens in the beginning and the following plot will prove this prophecy to be true. Time is not a limitation of prophecy because it will become the reality. Mortals have no power to change the destiny and control their lives; only immortals have the ability. Prophecy serves as a guide and a warning to mortals, and prophecy is also an evidence of showing the interaction between mortals and immortals. The important purposes of prophecy are demonstrated in Homer’s Odyssey, Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and the movie O Brother Where Art Thou?
Throughout the Odyssey, many prophecies related to the main plot guide people like Odysseus and Penelope and provides them strength. Prophecies implicate they are doing the right thing and gods are with them. In the beginning, when Athena disguises as Mentes and predicts Odysseus’ return, Athena has made the very first prophecy to Telemachus. She specifically says that …show more content…
Like Odyssey, Both prophecies are told in the beginning of the story. First, in the story of Narcissus and Echo, Narcissus has his destiny set when he is born. From the same prophet in Odyssey, Tiresias foretells that Narcissus will live “so long as he never knows himself” (Ov. Med. III. 348). Similar with the purpose of prophecy in Odyssey, Narcissus does not have the power to control his destiny, and he dies because of his arrogance toward admirers. Second, in the movie O Brother Where Art Thou?, the blind prophet, who is traveling on a handcar, predicts the whole journey of Everett, Pete, and Delmar. He says, “You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek” (O Brother). Different with the Odyssey, this is the only prophecy that appears throughout the movie. However, this prophecy guides and supports Everett, Pete, and Delmar to begin their journey of finding
Throughout the Odyssey, many prophecies related to the main plot guide people like Odysseus and Penelope and provides them strength. Prophecies implicate they are doing the right thing and gods are with them. In the beginning, when Athena disguises as Mentes and predicts Odysseus’ return, Athena has made the very first prophecy to Telemachus. She specifically says that …show more content…
Like Odyssey, Both prophecies are told in the beginning of the story. First, in the story of Narcissus and Echo, Narcissus has his destiny set when he is born. From the same prophet in Odyssey, Tiresias foretells that Narcissus will live “so long as he never knows himself” (Ov. Med. III. 348). Similar with the purpose of prophecy in Odyssey, Narcissus does not have the power to control his destiny, and he dies because of his arrogance toward admirers. Second, in the movie O Brother Where Art Thou?, the blind prophet, who is traveling on a handcar, predicts the whole journey of Everett, Pete, and Delmar. He says, “You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek” (O Brother). Different with the Odyssey, this is the only prophecy that appears throughout the movie. However, this prophecy guides and supports Everett, Pete, and Delmar to begin their journey of finding