Homers

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• July 14, 2026

Who is the most famous Homer in history? Is it Homer of the Iliad and Odyssey or Homer Simpson? Now, most intellects would quickly argue that, of course, it’s Homer of the most epic tale of all time. But the same historians would argue that Homer didn’t even exist as one man, it’s more of a collective oral history. In that case, Homer Simpson is actually a more real figure than the penned name of the most monumental piece of literature ever written.

Let’s unpack Homers, both epic and modern, shall we?

Either you read the Iliad or Odyssey in High School by force, or you just know the story from its rightful place in culture of a remarkable tale of heroism, honor, mortality, and fate. The Iliad takes place during the Trojan war, where the famous Trojan horse story comes from, as well as our hero, Achilles. Historians debate the truth of this war. Troy would be modern day Turkey. And of course, there were always ongoing wars then, as there is now, but most historians believe Homer’s tale to be more myth than factual history. Still, this doesn’t make it less important about humanity, as much as the Bible is important about humanity.

The Odyssey is the homecoming of Odysseus after the Trojan war. The tale of true male hero, husband and father, trying to come home despite momental obstacles. Odysseus is THE role model for men. He is brave, strong, clever, and beloved by a beautiful woman and his people. He is the definition of honor. It is because of this, that some historians believe that Homer might actually be a woman. Who could have told the tale of an ideal Disney-esque king better than a woman trying to raise sons to look up to an idealistic hero? Odysseus is a man of woman’s dreams more than a mans. He is the man who will return and be true and faithful and an exceptional father. It actually likely makes most sense that ‘Homer’ is a tale from a woman’s heart rather than a man’s. Women, after all, are the creators.

Now, let’s jump, skip to one of my all time favorite shows, “The Simpsons,” created the year I was born, 1989, created by Matt Groening. Homer Simpson, of course, if the lovable but lazy, beer loving patriarch of the modern American family. He works for an evil billionaire in a boring job that provides for his stay at home wife and love of his life, Marge. His son, Bart, is a complete rascal, borderline degenerate. Lisa is smart to a fault. And then there’s baby Maggie and of course Grandpa Simpson who provides some of the most devastating poignant laughs of the show. I implore you to watch the current episodes of the show because it is STILL one of the funniest AND smartest shows on television. It reflects, mocks, and predicts our times. But at the heart of it, is this loving family. Dysfunctional, yes. Flawed, deeply. Funny and caring, they are the quintessential American family.

Homer is frequently the butt of the joke. He isn’t too bright, originated the dad bod, and though he is a playful father, he also would prefer to crack a beer and relax in front of the television. And before you judge him, who among us isn’t guilty of being a Homer Simpson? In fact, at 37, woefully single, been around the country, world and from a large family, I would argue that Homer is one of the good guys. He may not be Odysseus (whom the Simpsons have parodied, of course), but he repeatedly goes to a job he hates, falls into temptation of Moe’s Tavern quite a bit, but always comes home. There have been episodes where both Homer and Marge are tempted by other potential loves. But they always come back to each other. Homer and Marge have a healthy sex life, and the writers tastefully write this into the show in such a way that you can still watch the show with your kids and it’s not terribly awkward because if your parents have a successful marriage, guess what, they are having sex. Sexless couples will drown. This is a mere fact. And an actual good one for kids to know what a healthy relationship looks like. For the most part, Homer and Marge have a healthy relationship… for the most part. That’s where the comedy comes in. And the reality.

Maybe Homer is a modern day Odysseus, in the sense that for a family to function you need a man who provides and always comes home. His adventures aren’t as epic, unless it’s a Treehouse of Horror episode, but he is constantly struggling with money, his children, society, nature, and everything the universe throws at him. The writers haven’t run out of ideas because life never ceases to throw obstacles at us. Homer isn’t the dashing hero Hollywood would give us, but how close to reality is anything that happens on screen? The everyman who is good hearted actually is kind of exceptional compared to the low bar men have set for themselves. Additionally, Homer should be celebrated for marrying a woman out of his league. Is that not the goal? His bar drinking buddies at Moe’s all envy what Homer has with Marge. Homer doesn’t take himself too seriously and shouldn’t. His own children frequently outsmart him, very much so including Bart.

Homer Simpson is more realistic than the heroes in any of Homer’s tales, and deserves his place among the stars! The actual stars, not the ones on the Hollywood walk of fame, but a constellation! I’m being a bit facetious here (a word Homer Simpson would have to look up or ask his daughter Lisa what it meant). Bottom line is, there’s something to be celebrated about these “sitcom dad” types. I’d rather Homer Simpson be my father than Odysseus. Mostly because Odysseus didn’t have a TV or most of the things I love about modern society, a product of my own time, the TV generation I am.