ipl-logo

Similes In The Odyssey

898 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The odyssey critical analysis

Feeling the need to learn more about yourself is something in which many of us have felt before, yet in what way do we approach trying to accomplish this? In both pieces, The Odyssey by Homer and The Journey by Mary Oliver, the main character undertakes a journey that teaches them about who they are, what they’re worth, and what they are capable of. In the Odyssey, Odysseus proved himself as a strong and great leader. Whilst on his journey back home, he comes across several different obstacles that he has to battle, face to face with them. In the end he defeats these challenges and reaches his ultimate goal, returning home. Similarly in the poem The Journey, the character proves to herself, that she is a strong, independent perseverer. The …show more content…

In The Odyssey, when Odysseus is speaking to the Cyclops, the one eyed son of Poseidon, the Cyclops suggests that he is embarking on a risky mission, through the use of a simile. “You wandering rogues, who cast your lives like dice, and ravage other folk by sea.” (Homer 1. 157-158) This shows that it was obvious and noticeable to others that he was taking dangerous risks. This is a way of recognizing how they are testing their limits, because they are risking their lives by embarking on their journey, which can be a very dangerous and deadly. Similarly, throughout a metaphor, the message in The Journey is also shown that way. They show us the great struggles that she was forced to endure, until she finally reached her goal in the end. “But you didn’t stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations.” (Lines 12-16) The struggle keeping the character back is shown deeply through the usage of the words ‘pried’ and ‘stiff’ she demonstrates a worsened and forceful struggle. It is telling us that once she finally departs from what is holding her back, and she releases that, she will be able to attain her goal. It shows us her realization that when you persevere through the roughest part of your journey you can succeed in reaching your

Show More
Related
645 Words | 3 Pages

Some of the characters, like Dodge, Alyss, and Hatter, show perseverance in trying to defeat Redd. Dodge perseveres through the mental pain of The Cat killing his father and the physical pain of The Cat 's scratches. Hatter shows perseverance when he helps Alyss escape the palace safely and risks his life trying to find her. Alyss shows perseverance in trying to defeat Redd and finding the courage to stand up to her. This theme shows the reader that no matter what gets in your way, you can always fight through and

Read More
765 Words | 4 Pages

Logos Speech Examples 1. “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?... These are the implements of war and subjugation” Henry is saying that Great Britain is not trying to peacefully restore relations with the colonies, but instead trying to regain control over them by force.

Read More
316 Words | 2 Pages

In Book IX, lines 291-331 of The Odyssey, Homer's use of imagery, word choice, and figurative language. Is used to create Odysseus as the epic hero, which furthers the understanding of Odysseus’ true traits. In this passage the Cyclops who is the son of Poseidon shows hospitality to Odysseus and the other men at first, but soon devour two of Odysseus's men on the spot, and imprisons Odysseus/ putting him on the spot and causing him to make decisions very quickly. Throughout the whole epic poem and this passage as well imagery is used the most to create meaning. In lines 316-320 Homer says “Then he dismembered them and made his meal, gaping and crunching like a mountain lion, everything innards, flesh and marrow bones.

Read More
219 Words | 1 Pages

“… he gripped up two of my men at once and dashed them down upon the ground as though they had been puppies.” (21) This was the first Homeric simile that caught my eye. This Homeric simile gave me the impression that a giant was throwing humans brutally against the ground. With that small clip of a scene many people may predict that the giant kills everyone.

Read More
444 Words | 2 Pages

The Odyssey, a story based on a great warrior who not just shows his mind but his faults. One fault being his pride. As of the day he went to fight the Trojan War, he was lost at sea for 20 years. Odysseus fought with smart and the hope of being able to defeat everyone in his path. One example of this is Odysseus built the trojan horse which helped him win the Trojan war.

Read More
845 Words | 4 Pages

Witty Odysseus Wit by definition means “Mentally sharp; keen intelligence”. Throughout The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus represents many ways that he has earned the title of “Mighty Odysseus” by showing Wit for himself and his men. He has shown that he is mentally strong enough, has an overpowering mind, and is able to think about ways that are not obvious while being in so many emotional states. He leads himself along with his men, through the adventures on the trail to the Island of Ithaca. For his mental strength he has earned the right to call himself and for others to call him “Mighty Odysseus”.

Read More
424 Words | 2 Pages

Throughout the beginning of book thirteen in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, He often utilizes literary devices such as Motifs and foreshadowing. Many motifs are shown centered around disguise and divine intervention, which ties into the foreshadowing for the second half of the Odyssey. For example, when Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca but cannot figure out exactly where he is. The reason is that Athena has disguised Ithaca as a foreign land to Odysseus so that she can later help him conceal his identity. As he wakes up, he cries out: “Whose country have I come to this time?

Read More
257 Words | 2 Pages

Odysseus, in The Odyssey by Homer, and I both demonstrate self-restraint. One time Odysseus shows self-discipline is when he’s in the cyclops’ cave and stabbed his eye. The cyclops “squatted in the breach with arms thrown wide for any silly man or beast that bolted” (907). Odysseus restrains himself from running the first time he sees a way out. Instead he stays back and plans for a better way out.

Read More
966 Words | 4 Pages

The Value of Familiarity “Familiarity is the thing - the sense of belonging. It grants exemption from all evil” (E. B. White). This quote is something to live by, because even though familiarity is not always as exciting as the unknown, it gives a person a sense of belongingness and purpose and is usually far more satisfying. At its surface, The Odyssey, by Homer is a story about a war hero battling beasts and entering the underworld to prove to the Gods that he is worthy and deserves to live, however, but more than that, it is the story of a husband who has to battle various temptations to get home to his faithful wife. In The Odyssey, Homer demonstrates that long term contentedness is more fulfilling than short term bliss through the portrayal

Read More
1040 Words | 5 Pages

This idea of perseverance until the end solidifies the theme of the

Read More
1072 Words | 5 Pages

The Odyssey is often cited as an epitome of the hero’s journey and the monomyth. The hero of the story, Odysseus is on a 10 year battle homeward from the Trojan War to see his wife and son again. With the help divine intervention, Odysseus is able to return home and save his wife from the evil suitors who have continuously tried to win her. One could easily argued that Odysseus is an exemplar of the hero, but there is another story: Odysseus is the opposite of a hero and is not worthy to be called such. He is the villain where the gods are the hero.

Read More
1332 Words | 6 Pages

Heroism, tends to be difficult to define and remarkably ambiguous in literary works. In the Odyssey, however, Homer clearly defines a hero as a humble, determined, and loyal individual; thus, according to Homer, it is not enough to claim to be a hero, but it is also important to exhibit those qualities that Homer values as heroism. Odysseus, despite claiming heroism, upholds these traits inconsistently, as seen in his taunting of Polyphemus. In contrast, Telemachus, Odysseus’ overlooked son, dramatically grows up over the course of the epic and ultimately reveals his truly heroic qualities by the end of the poem. Thus, because Odysseus claims to be a hero, but fails to remain humble, determined, and loyal throughout the epic, he is not a hero.

Read More
485 Words | 2 Pages

As the poem continues, Farjeon uses imagery to inform the reader with her anxiety by stating: “I muse not strain the moments of our meeting” (l.5). Farjeon also provides emphasis for understanding her worried emotional state. She says: “Is this the last of all? Is this - or this?” (l.8), which means she doesn’t want to waste her time

Read More
472 Words | 2 Pages

Diction and imagery are very important components to a story. It is the way that the author displays their feelings through the character. Homer uses very vivid shifts in tone, sometimes creating room for the reader to learn a lesson. In one of Homer’s famous books, “The Odyssey,” he uses diction, imagery, and tone to show that everything does not always go as planned. Wishing to escape the cyclops’ bondage, Odysseus tries to get out of trouble and assumes that he and his men are safe by lying to the Cyclops.

Read More
716 Words | 3 Pages

You would think I couldn’t need or want anything more with servants to wait on me day and night and priceless treasures to last a lifetime here of Aiaia, but I’m not content. I long for company, someone to share my days with and talk to who will listen, an equal. For years I have been luring travelers in to test them and see if they would be a worthy companion. Alas, they never made the cut.

Read More

More about Similes In The Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document