HWS News
31 July 2026 Himmelhoch Examines Homer's Enduring Mystery in Wake of The Odyssey Film
Professor Leah Himmelhoch explores how Homer's deliberate omissions continue to shape modern interpretations of The Odyssey.
With audiences returning to Homer's epic following the release of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Leah Himmelhoch, Professor of Greek and Roman Studies, is shedding light on one of the ancient poet's most surprising storytelling choices: he never physically describes Helen of Troy or Achilles.
In a recent essay published on her blog Palinodia, Himmelhoch explores why Homer leaves the appearances of two of Greek mythology's most iconic figures to the imagination. "Homer gives us actions, words, and reactions—not faces," she writes, arguing that the poet intentionally emphasizes character through deeds, dialogue and reputation rather than physical description. The result is a literary approach that has invited readers, artists and filmmakers to envision Helen and Achilles in their own ways for nearly 3,000 years.
The essay offers timely insight as Nolan's adaptation has sparked renewed interest in the ancient epic and conversations about how legendary characters should be portrayed on screen. Himmelhoch explains that Homer's intentional omission has made The Iliad and The Odyssey remarkably adaptable, inviting every generation to create its own vision of Achilles, Helen and the world they inhabit.
Drawing on her expertise in ancient literature, Himmelhoch demonstrates how a literary technique from nearly 3,000 years ago continues to shape modern storytelling and cultural conversations. Her essay highlights the enduring relevance of even the most ancient texts and the ways they continue to inform contemporary literature, film, and popular culture.
Read Himmelhoch's full essay, "Homer Never Describes Helen or Achilles," on her blog Palinodia.
