On Odysseus, Oliver Queen, & Becoming Something Else
The Epic Hero of the 21st Century is — undoubtedly — the Superhero. When comparisons are made between the two categories, however, most arguments are made on the point of reception; rarely are classical allegories between superheroes and epic heroes intentional. Yet, this is not the case with Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg’s Arrow (2012).
To provide some context, Arrow is the story of Oliver Queen returning home after being stranded on the island of Lian Yu for five years. His home city — Starling city — is horribly corrupt to the point of collapse. To save his home, Oliver must “become someone else … something else”. In narrative terms, this means the vigilante known as ‘The Hood’.
Despite a later drop in writing quality, the first few seasons of Arrow are thematically rich. For us, the most important episode comes in the form of 1x04 — an episode titled ‘The Odyssey’. In the title alone, Berlanti et al. draw connections between the world of Arrow and that of epic. In the episode itself, there are two overt references to The Odyssey. The first comes in a visual cue; in a conversation between Oliver’s mentor, Yao Fei, and his kidnapper, a mercenary for hire known as Fyer, the camera lingers on a copy of The Odyssey on Fyer’s desk. This shot is included to foreshadow the main conflict of the episode: Oliver and Slade’s attempted escape from the island. They plan to steal an enemy supply plane once it lands. However, just before the plane lands, the pilot issues Oliver and Slade a challenge code to confirm their identity: “Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the Earth…” Those who have read The Odyssey will recognise this quote from Book 18. Odysseus, disguised as the beggar, says this to Amphinomus, one of Penelope’s suitors. In Arrow, Oliver recognises the phrase, completing the challenge code — and quote simultaneously — for the audience: “…nothing is bred that is weaker than man”. In its original context, this quote is used by Odysseus to hint at the inevitable downfall of the suitors, as a man is only prosperous while the gods grant him power. In re-contextualising this quote for Arrow, however, Berlanti et al. explain Oliver’s purgatory on Lian Yu. In Starling City, Oliver abused his status and wealth, refusing to ever take responsibility for his actions; now, however, Oliver is suffering at the hands of greater forces than himself.
Oliver’s assessment, that The Odyssey is “a story about a guy that is trying to get home”, parallels his own story of struggling to return home. This allusion is as unsubtle as they come, but it made me wonder if there were any other allusions in Arrow to the world of epic. When I started looking, I found them everywhere. Oliver and Odysseus start their narratives as the elite of the elite before being forced to fight in another’s war. Both characters are associated with the bow. Both characters must use their wits to return home and, upon doing so, take it upon themselves to restore justice — using equally bloody methods. This comparison is the most important, I believe. As I noted earlier, the direct references to The Odyssey in Arrow implies that the comparisons between Odysseus and Oliver are intentional. As such, I believe Oliver’s struggle with morality is subtle criticism of Odysseus and his brutality.
Perhaps the greatest question Arrow asks its audience is whether killing can ever be justified. Oliver, on the island and at home, declares that he is ‘not a hero’, largely because he has killed. In fact, the narrative itself repeatedly condemns Oliver’s slaughter. Multiple characters call his behaviour into question and their critiques eventually lead Oliver to swear off ever killing again in Season 3. This meets contemporary standards of heroism but stands in direct contrast to the concept of the epic hero. For Odysseus, the ability to slaughter large droves of enemies and come out alive represents strength; to be an epic hero is to be stronger than the average man. While Oliver is held accountable for his actions, Odysseus is encouraged on — that is, until the end of the Odyssey. Book 24 sees Odysseus in another battle, this time with the men of Ithaca, despite justice having already been delivered. He nearly murders all his opponents and it is only Athena’s intervention that prevents the bloodshed. Odysseus’ actions are condemned in this scene by Homer’s use of deus ex machina. In previous conflicts, the gods have urged Odysseus on; their interference now shows that Odysseus has gone too far. Just like Oliver Queen, upon returning home, people start calling into question the morality of Odysseus’ actions.
Both Oliver Queen and Odysseus are transformed by war. In their need to survive, they both must become someone else: for Oliver, this is the vigilante known as the hood, while for Odysseus this is an epic hero. Yet, Arrow asks us to reflect on The Odyssey and Odysseus’ actions. If Oliver Queen is held accountable for his actions, why not is Odysseus?
Berlanti et al. ask us what Odysseus had to become in order to survive the Trojan war and his journey home. Is Odysseus a hero? Oliver Queen wouldn’t think so.
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