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Diction in the odyssey
Examples of figurative language in the odyssey
Examples of figurative language in the odyssey
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In book 21 Penelope announces that she will marry the suiter who can string the bow, and then successfully shoot a line of twelve axes. Telemachus, Eurymachus, and many more try to string the bow and fail. Odysseus then asks to try, and this is where the epic simile is. The simile compared Odysseus’s stringing to a musician with an instrument. Thus reveling that Odysseus was in fact was very graceful, and skillful.
Instead of using a simple simile to suggest the feelings of Penelope and Odysseus and have somewhat of an understanding by the reader, Homer used an epic simile to show exactly how the two felt, in a way that could clearly be understood by the reader, thus enhancing the understanding of the text. Penelope and Odysseus have been apart for too many years, and they have both gone through a lot of suffering, Odysseus on his journey, and Penelope trying to fend off the suitors at home. When they are together again, the love and joy that they feel for one another surpasses any of the feelings of hardship that the two went through, and Homer accurately conveys that through his epic simile. The extension to the simile enforces what the reader already knows, but also invokes a feeling in the reader as well, which would not have been done with a traditional
There are many themes in both O Brother where Art Thou and the Odyssey which seem to be strongly similar. Many similarities between the characters and their actions surface through their actions. In my essay I will not only compare and contrast the most important elements of the mentioned works, but will also discuss the importance of heroic figures and the less favored themes, such as revenge and foolish fearlessness. It is important to note that both works are taken place during hard times. Odysseus’ journey is dated around 1200 BCE, or the ‘Dark Age’.
The ‘Odyssey’ is a well known book based around Greek myths and Odysseus’ journey back home as he attains help from the Gods. In ‘The Odyssey’, Homer is able to use figurative language to express a recurring theme of vengeance. In Homer's ‘Odyssey’, he manages to express a theme of vengeance by how Odysseus is struggling with the consequences of revenge and how he deals with that. In book twenty-two Odysseus confronts the suitors about trying to seduce his wife while he was gone, when he reveals himself as Odysseus some of the suitors immediately try to compensate for the wrongs they’ve done.
The Beggar and the Faithful Dog is quite a short story in the Odyssey, but even with little words Homer used different types of irony, giving a deeper understanding to the story. In the story, as soon as Argos hears Odysseus’ voice, he perks up and wags his tail, showing he had a deep heartfelt connection toward him because he remembered him after all of these years. Odysseus recognizes him, too, and was so tempted to run up and acknowledge him, but he had to keep up his disguise in front of Eumaeus. This is an example of Dramatic Irony because the reader knows that Odysseus is in disguise and the dog and his master recognize each other, but Eumaeus doesn’t know anything. Eumaeus’ response (the quote) to Odysseus when he asks why the dog is
In the odyssey by milay the character Odysseus is a depressed character motivated by going home and seeing his family. The odyssey develops a universal theme by easily relating to a wide audience. An ancient gesture related to Penelope crying because she misses her husband Odysseus. Both articles relate to a wide audience, according to source 2 "an ancient gesture" it says "
In the text the epic simile is illustrated as, "Long ago I lost a good husband, a man with a lions heart..." (Homer 61). Penelope compares her husband of having a lions heart meaning Odysseus is very courageous. Epic similes are another component of creating this epic simile known as The
Through the test of time, The Odyssey, written by Greek philosopher Homer in 725 BCE, has proven to be a timeless piece of literature, with its lessons and values still relevant and applicable in today's current age. The modern reader can see how the society in The Odyssey has ideas that are not relevant in today's age. Apart from the ideas that are irrelevant to today, harsh actions involving brutality and extreme violence are performed in the epic. Homer conveys his values and ideas through his character's actions, giving this book depth and layers. The actions on a surface level are irrelevant to the current age lived in, but the lessons and morals behind each challenge Odysseus faces are timeless.
Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey does more showing than telling because it describes the events of the books to their full extent. He achieves showing by using descriptive words to keep the passage going, instead of just saying what happened with a few non-descriptive, bland words that do not describe at all. Odysseus has finally returned home, just to find many suitors for Penelope. Odysseus is outraged, so he confronts Penelope’s most prominent suitor, Antinous. Odysseus gripped his bow, “Odysseus aimed and shot Antinous square in the throat and the point went stabbing clean through the soft neck and out… food showered across the floor, the bread and meats soaked in a swirl of bloody filth.”(440).
As one of the most prominent epic poems in Greek literature, the Odyssey incorporates many values upheld during the Bronze Age and allows us to understand what the community was like during that time. Readers can gain more insight into the cultural practices and daily life to help expand their knowledge of the Homeric age. Themes such as Xenia and masculinity were highlighted throughout the poem, but the most prevalent theme was the importance of the father and son relationship. The epic emphasizes the negative impacts of a son not having a father figure for guidance and shows how Telemachus needed Odysseus. The Odyssey displays the importance of a father figure for a son’s development as Telemachus’ lack of guidance and connection to his
The Odyssey by Homer revolves around the character, Odysseus, and his ten-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. As the epic’s idol, he displays the combination of a clever, handsome, and courageous man popular among the mortals as well as the gods. Essentially, he embodies the ideals of the ancient Greek culture, being adorned with many favored characteristics of the era. However, an intriguing aspect of Odysseus lies in his personality. As the protagonist, he does not manifest the entirety of a stereotypical hero because Odysseus has a fatal flaw—his arrogance.
The odyssey, an epic told by Homer in ancient greece, has many major themes following odysseus’s adventures. While Odysseus is sentenced to never return home after the Trojan War. He is overcoming challenges to return home to his wife penelope and his son Telemachus. Throughout the story major themes of loyalty, hospitality and vengeance are hidden within the plot. The story continues to show his heroic side with three major traits.
In an epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus struggles to come back home while his wife, Penelope, faces barbarous suitors who plague her house to court her for the marriage in order to claim the kingship of Ithaca. With an absence of the man of the household and a son who is not old enough to rule over the country and handle the domestic complications, Penelope endeavors to keep the household orderly and civilized. In order to prevent further chaos in the household, Penelope maintains her role as the Queen of Ithaca and Odysseus’s wife through her loyalty and cunning. For a woman who does not know when her man will return home, Penelope is extremely strong to keep hope and wait for her husband; thus, her unwavering loyalty to her husband
“‘I’d rather die at sea, with on deep gulp of death, than die by inches on this desolate island here’’ (Odyssey 12. 377-378). Not only was this irony but a foreshadow of what was to come. The description of Odysseus’ ship being destroyed by Zeus is an epic simile and an epithet.
The Odyssey by Homer is a book that involves the Journey of Odysseus and his men and the Obstacles they come across. The Odyssey portrays many themes including vengeance, hospitality, courage, bravery and more. Odysseus experiences some good and bad during his journey. He comes across people who help him, but also comes across creatures who hold him back. Odysseus is an Epic hero because of his quick thinking skills, bravery, and confidence for himself and his men.
