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    Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

    Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

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    Anas Sarwar’s woes are about to get worse but Labour still has path to victory

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    Seagull summit goes ahead days after SNP minister was forced to quit in row over feathered menaces

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    Scotland becoming more intolerant amid immigration debate, warns Humza Yousaf

    Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

    Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

    Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

    Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

    Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

    Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

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    MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth charges

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    MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

    Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

    Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

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    Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at ‘reactionary politics’

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    SNP Government ‘failing stroke patients’ as average treatment waiting time over two hours

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      Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

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        Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

        Rachel Reeves decision to axe two-child benefit cap would impact millions of Scottish families

        Anas Sarwar’s woes are about to get worse but Labour still has path to victory

        Anas Sarwar’s woes are about to get worse but Labour still has path to victory

        Seagull summit goes ahead days after SNP minister was forced to quit in row over feathered menaces

        Seagull summit goes ahead days after SNP minister was forced to quit in row over feathered menaces

        Scotland becoming more intolerant amid immigration debate, warns Humza Yousaf

        Scotland becoming more intolerant amid immigration debate, warns Humza Yousaf

        Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

        Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

        Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

        Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

        Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

        Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

        MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth charges

        MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth charges

        MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

        MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

        Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

        Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

        Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at ‘reactionary politics’

        Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at ‘reactionary politics’

        SNP Government ‘failing stroke patients’ as average treatment waiting time over two hours

        SNP Government ‘failing stroke patients’ as average treatment waiting time over two hours

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        • Business

          Salesforce boss Marc Benioff joins Weev.

          What is a virtual office and why you need one in Central London – Your Company Formations Ltd

          What is a virtual office and why you need one in Central London – Your Company Formations Ltd

          Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

          Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

          Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

          Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

          Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

          Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

          Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

          Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

        • Sports
          Brendan Rodgers knows my one Celtic regret but he’s the best I’ve worked under and a true perfectionist

          Brendan Rodgers knows my one Celtic regret but he’s the best I’ve worked under and a true perfectionist

          Hearts chief demands ‘calm’ amid Rangers pile on as Celtic title tilt sparks knowing warning

          Hearts chief demands ‘calm’ amid Rangers pile on as Celtic title tilt sparks knowing warning

          Ex Man Utd star faces prison for failure to pay child maintenance

          Ex Man Utd star faces prison for failure to pay child maintenance

          Dermot Desmond to ‘take a lead’ in Celtic fan row and ditch golden rule for first time in three years

          Dermot Desmond to ‘take a lead’ in Celtic fan row and ditch golden rule for first time in three years

          Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

          Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

          Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

          Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

          Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

          Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

          Union Bears torch Green Brigade gear as Celtic ultras targeted by gloating Rangers rivals

          Union Bears torch Green Brigade gear as Celtic ultras targeted by gloating Rangers rivals

          Kieron Bowie touted for Rangers transfer if key hurdle can be cleared

          Kieron Bowie touted for Rangers transfer if key hurdle can be cleared

          Raging Fabrizio Romano fires back at fan for branding him a ‘fraud’

          Raging Fabrizio Romano fires back at fan for branding him a ‘fraud’

          Scotland’s plunging coefficient faces threat from Sweden as Champions League abyss awaits

          Scotland’s plunging coefficient faces threat from Sweden as Champions League abyss awaits

          Rangers brutally mocked by Belgian big mouth as rebuilding Brugge told UCL rivals aren’t ‘serious’

          Rangers brutally mocked by Belgian big mouth as rebuilding Brugge told UCL rivals aren’t ‘serious’

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            ‘Compact’ power bank that is ‘perfect for on the go’ drops to £29 in limited time deal

            Sky Mobile throws in £210 freebies with Samsung’s new £9 Apple iPad rival

            Sky Mobile throws in £210 freebies with Samsung’s new £9 Apple iPad rival

            NASA announces breakthrough discovery suggesting life on Mars

            NASA announces breakthrough discovery suggesting life on Mars

            Sir James Dyson unveils new AI robot vacuum in a bid to help households to clean with ease

            Sir James Dyson unveils new AI robot vacuum in a bid to help households to clean with ease

            Shoppers leave Sky for ‘easy to use’ TV recorder that lets you watch telly for free

            Shoppers leave Sky for ‘easy to use’ TV recorder that lets you watch telly for free

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            NHS doctor shares common mistake people make at GP appointments

            ‘Our son, 18, died when curly hair hid deadly disease – now we’re taking action’

            ‘Our son, 18, died when curly hair hid deadly disease – now we’re taking action’

            Scottish siblings diagnosed with the same terminal illness that killed their dad

            Scottish siblings diagnosed with the same terminal illness that killed their dad

            Signs of depression in later life and how to recognise them, according to experts

            Signs of depression in later life and how to recognise them, according to experts

            Jessie J postpones UK tour and cancels US gigs amid ongoing cancer battle

            Jessie J postpones UK tour and cancels US gigs amid ongoing cancer battle

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            Debenhams cuts price of ‘beautiful’ £845 watch perfect for Christmas gifting to £99

            Debenhams cuts price of ‘beautiful’ £845 watch perfect for Christmas gifting to £99

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            UK watchdog issues new car finance update on possible £1,100 compensation payout due next year

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            New update on calls for monthly State Pension payments of £2,344 for people over 60

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            Jet2 announce new check-in change for Scots travellers

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            Welsh council explains how and when schools will search pupils for weapons

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            Best universities in Wales and the UK named in prestigious rankings

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          Odyssey by Stephen Fry – the tales of return from the Trojan war are charmingly retold but at an uncomfortable cost

          by BP Author
          October 4, 2024
          in World
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          Stephen Fry’s Odyssey is the final instalment in his retellings of Greek myth that began with Mythos. Here, Fry tells us, we move away from the turbulent creation of the gods and the swashbuckling heroes of old, into “a profoundly human story”: a tale of one man’s journey home “to a world of farm and family”.

          But it turns out that, somewhat surprisingly, the “hero” who is looking for home isn’t only Odysseus. In Odyssey’s first half, despite the title, we find the Odysseus story interweaving with those of Agamemnon, Ajax (the one who raped Cassandra and caused Athena’s wrath upon the returning Greeks), Menelaus and Helen, and even the Trojan, Aeneas. So this story isn’t just about an Odyssey: it’s about many returns home.

          And this is true to the world in which the Homeric epics were composed. We know that there were multiple oral tales of different “returns” (“nostoi” in Greek) from the Trojan war. Each of the Greek heroes who were said to have sailed back from Troy – Agamemnon, king of the Greeks, for example, or Menelaus, husband of Helen – likely had their own return poem. It’s a great tragedy that the Odyssey is the only one of the return epics we have left to us.

          We all know, by now, the charm and wit that Fry brings to his myth retellings; and, for many readers, this will be a delightful entry point to the story of the Odyssey, as well as the other return myths. It offers up a palatable and entertaining version of Homer’s epic, sprinkled with the stories of Agamemnon and the House of Atreus. It sparkles with Fry’s trademark light-hearted style and, sure as anything, delivers a ripping good yarn.

          The individual heroes are woven with insight and a lightness of touch, while a certain roguishness characterises much of the humour – for example, when Odysseus and his son Telemachus poke their tongues out at each other when they meet. And, as one would expect from the former presenter of QI, there is an abounding delight in exploring etymologies, often in lengthy footnotes (just to give an example: one covers everything from a Greek hero to the genus of albatrosses). The infectious enthusiasm for knowledge is contagious and Fry manages to carry off even a 12-line footnote.

          Yet the simplification of the tales – and Fry seems, at times, to be well aware of it – comes at a cost; particularly in a certain bluntness of characterisation, and especially when it comes to women. For instance, in the tale of Agamemnon’s homecoming where he returns to Greece and his wife Clytemnestra kills him in revenge for his sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia. In Fry’s retelling Agamemnon is presented very much as the good father who was simply doing his duty by killing his daughter; while Clytemnestra is the bad mother who is glad to have got rid of her children.

          Meanwhile, Odysseus’ famous return to Ithaca after 20 years is also portrayed with a twist. In the Odyssey, Odysseus comes home in the guise of a beggar and finds Penelope beset by suitors who believe he has died. Penelope proposes a bow competition, the winner of which will have her hand in marriage. Odysseus wins and takes violent revenge upon the suitors.

          In Fry’s retelling this story becomes a romantic fairytale with the hero sweeping in and reducing the thankful wife to her knees, rather than the altogether more complex drama of myth. There is no discomfort at Odysseus’ infidelity. There is no suggestion that Penelope might have worked out that the beggar in disguise was Odysseus. At one particularly uncomfortable moment, Fry makes Odysseus come up with the idea of the contest of the bow (it was absolutely Penelope’s, via Athena). Above all, however, he excises Telemachus’ horrendous hanging of the 12 enslaved women (for the “crime” of being raped by the suitors). Instead, Fry presents these women as “enjoying very special relationships with certain of the suitors”.

          Fry’s Odyssey is an entertaining retelling that thrums with Fry’s charming, quick-witted prose. It is, indeed, a tale in search of “a hero”. But the Odyssey is not, in the end, a simple tale of a hero who finds his way home.

          To present Odysseus as the ingenious mastermind behind the contest of the bow (not Penelope) and the faithful husband on his return; to present Telemachus as the eager son who doesn’t commit an awful slaughter of raped enslaved women, is to create a certain view of the Odyssey.

          It’s a familiar one, to be sure. But it is worth remembering that the Odyssey itself contains other avenues; that it has other – to quote Margaret Atwood who herself re-imagined the story from Penelope and the twelve hanged women’s perspective – “darker alleyways”. I wonder what we are to make of the fact that, in Fry’s Odyssey, some of them are left unexplored.


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