May 08, 2018 in my study of the traditional epithet in homer, i dealt with those formulas in the iliad and in the odyssey which are made up of a noun and one or more fixed epithets, and showed that they were created to help the poet set the heroic tale to hexameters. However, his journey will be neither easy nor swift, and the pain he endures along the way is foreshadowed throughout the poem. These themes are conveyed with the use of a few key literary devices, including poemswithinapoem and flashback narration. They can be either nicknames or titles given to people, as in alfred the great and william the conqueror, or insults. One side provides background and detail for what epithets are, how they are used, and what they can reveal about a character. The epithet, goddess with the gleaming eyes is used to describe which character in the odyssey.
In groups, genearate a picture and description of a god or monster from the odyssey and a metaphorical explanation of what the god or monster may represent symbolize. Homer uses several epithets, or nicknames, along with the name odysseus as the story unfolds in both tales. Get an answer for alright, so i need to find 3 epithets in the odyssey book ix. The most complex, arguably, is the greek polutropos poll. Alright, so i need to find 3 epithets in the odyssey. In my study of the traditional epithet in homer, i dealt with those formulas in the iliad and in the odyssey which are made up of a noun and one or more fixed epithets, and showed that they were created to help the poet set the heroic tale to hexameters. New characters, summary timeline, literary terms examples, and discussion questions for book chapter of the odyssey by homer. Use of epithets in homers iliad and odyssey essay bartleby. Epics begin in medias res in the middle of things and explore a vast world or universe, generally that involves mythological landscapes such as the home of the gods. Homer uses epithets constantly throughout the odyssey both because they fit the meter of the poem and because they act as mnemonic devices for both orator and. Mornings first light is compared to rosy fingers spreading across the land.
A simple twosided handout for use with examining and understanding epithets in the odyssey. Odyssey class discussion items books 24 book questions. The basic form of narrative in the odyssey is very strongly oriented towards imagery. The odyssey book 17 questions by willmcd last updated. The noun has a metrical value which allows little change, but by adding to it an ornamental.
Epithets from odyssey books 1 to 12 fagles translation. This is an example of an epithet, a phrase that describes a character or item. Homers odyssey originally printed in california studies in classical antiquity 5 1972 119, available through jstor. Composed around 700 bc, the odyssey is one of the earliest epics still in existence and, in many ways, sets the pattern for the genre, neatly fitting the definition of a primary epic that is, one that grows out of oral tradition. Epithet is a descriptive literary device that describes a place, a thing or a person in such a way that it helps in making the characteristics of a person, thing or place more prominent than they actually are. Because the narrator invokes a muse at the beginning of the tale, he, and by extension his audience, are given privileged sight of odysseuss tale. Figurative language in the odyssey consists of metaphors, personification, and epic or homeric similes. Definition, usage and a list of epithet examples in common speech and literature. The exact phrasing of these epithets varies based on how the translator chose to convey the ancient greek text in english.
Students will become familiar with the craft of the epic by reading about epithets and practicing writing their own epic epithets. This use as a euphemism is criticized by martin manser and other proponents of linguistic prescription. Following are examples of epic similes in the odyssey. A characteristic of homers style is the use of epithets, as in rosyfingered dawn or swiftfooted achilles. Fixed epithets are more commonly found in poetry that involves the repetitive use of a phrase or a word for the same object. We learn that poseidon, god of the sea, holds a grudge though we dont know exactly why against odysseus and is making the guys voyage home a pretty difficult one. The other side provides a table of characters in book 5, asking students to fin. The odyssey is an epic poem and epic similes in the odyssey abound. Ithaca thrinacia scylla and charybdis sparta ogygia calypso mediterranean seaimportant characters in the odyssey in order of mentionbook 1 cyclopes sfklippcza race of book 12helios hcplcjsqthe sun god, oneeyed giants. What epic similes are in book 21 of the odyssey answers. Like much of the odyssey, book 12 generates excitement through the tension between goals and obstacles. Describe characters and epithets in the odyssey flashcards. Only six books of the odyssey and one week left of trishs readalong.
Hubris, metis, epithets, epic similes, narrative drift books 23 questions. Homer composed the odyssey in a meter known as dactylic hexameter, which gives the epic its elevated style. What are some examples of epithets from books 1012, 22, and 24 of the odyssey. In contemporary use, epithet often refers to an abusive, defamatory, or derogatory phrase, such as a racial or animal epithet. Irony in the odyssey dramatic irony is used throughout the story to build tension and suspense for the listening audience. Bright eyed is used to describe who in the odyssey. As one who has been all day ploughing a fallow field with a couple of oxen keeps thinking about his supper and is glad when night comes that he may go and get it, for it is all his legs can do to carry him, even so did ulysses rejoice when the sun went down. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, divinities, objects, and binomial nomenclature. Homer wrote the odyssey in a poetical meter called dactylic hexameter. For what reasons is penelope suspicious that it is indeed odysseus who has killed the suitors. The description by odysseus of women in the underworld as a flock frames them as lessthanhuman, suggesting that they have lost an essential aspect of themselves in death. Holt literature textbook 9th grade unit 11 the odyssey. Jul 31, 2018 for a succinct discussion, see norman austin 2009, 9293 from his essay name magic in the odyssey in l.
Maddie black and emma liston book important epithets, figurative language and powerful diction. Usually called an epithet or a homeric epithet, but sometimes called a homeric epitaph, it is one of the most noticeable features of homers works the iliad and the odyssey. This means that there are six metrical units, or feet, in each line. Epic similes are an elaborate comparison between two unlike objects using like or as. Book 1 book 2 book 3 book 4 book 5 book 6 book 7 book 8 book 9 book 10 book 11 book 12 book book 14 book 15 book 16 book 17 book 18 book 19 book 20 book 21 book 22 book 23 book 24 themes all themes fate, the gods, and free will piety, customs, and justice cunning, disguise, and selfrestraint memory and grief glory and honor. Epithet comes from the greek for putting something on something. Consider a representative example, from when odysseus praises alcinous bard. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Ah now, the prophecy of old is come to completion, that my father spoke, when he said poseidon someday would be angry with us, because we are convoy without hurt to all men. In the odyssey, homer employs most of the literary and poetic devices associated with epics. For a succinct discussion, see norman austin 2009, 9293 from his essay name magic in the odyssey in l. Students will develop vocabulary and close reading skills by working through their odyssey packets. In homers odyssey, for example, the wife is described as prudent, odysseus himself as manyminded, and heir son telemachus as soundminded. Even though the suitors are dead, as book 23 opens what prevents odysseus from crossing the monomyths return threshold into the known world. Formulas 1 and 3 are structured particularly closely, with their lack of an accusative object and vivid, metrically similar epithets.
He said that one day, as a wellmade ship of phaiakian men came back from a convoy on the misty face of the water, he would stun it, and pile a. In book, homer compares him to a farmer who has been working all day. Odysseus would rather avoid scylla and charybdis altogether, but he cannotthey stand in his way, leaving him no choice but to navigate a path through them. Alright, so i need to find 3 epithets in the odyssey book ix. Odysseus, the muchenduring, is an important character in the iliad, but he is central to the odyssey, where he gets even more epithets. Literary devices of the odyssey book summaries, test.
What must the stringer of the bow do with his shot. An epithet is a term or phrase used to characterize the nature of a character, an object, or an event. Page 287 line 19 epithet of dawn and the ship like a fourhorse. The odyssey is an epic poem that served an educational purpose for those who heard it. Epithets are used because of the constraints of the dactylic hexameter i. Homer uses the various colorful epithets to fit in with. However, his journey will be neither easy nor swift, and the pain he endures along the. Odyssey as well as the presence of an element of time, descriptive epithets and a verb. It is a tag or nickname that can be used on its own or together with the real name, depending on other features of the greek language. Thus did he speak and they all held their peace throughout thecovered cloister enthralled by the charm of his story till presentlyalcinous began to.
The odyssey, homers epic poem about the decadeslong journey of trojan war hero odysseus, includes themes such as cunning vs. Ive been listening to ian mckellen read the epic to me on audio and using the corresponding fagles translation in print as a supplement. They are silent for a few seconds until alcinous speaks to assure odysseus that he will be returned safely to his home and to insist on even more gifts for the guest. Odyssey book x continued epic conventions 112 minutes objectives. Theres nothing better than when deep joy holds sway throughout the realm and banqueters up and down the palace sit in ranks, enthralled to hear the bard, and before them all, the tables heaped with bread and meats, and drawing wine. Given the narrative complexity of the odyssey, foreshadowing plays an important role in the poem by reassuring the audience that, despite the many twists and turns of the plot, odyssey will ultimately return to his family in ithaca and defeat of the suitors. It relates historical stories with fantastical elements of myth, legend, and divine intervention.
Examples most of the important people in the iliad have a special epithet that serves as an extra name. As a man aches for his evening meal when all day long his brace of winedark oxen have dragged the bolted plowshare down a fallow field how welcome the setting sun to. Also, it is known as a byname or descriptive title. Im having a really hard time understanding what an epithet even is, much less. Use of epithets in homers iliad and odyssey throughout the iliad and the odyssey, homers use of the epithet in describing odysseus becomes essential as a means of characterizing the hero. Alright, so i need to find 3 epithets in the odyssey book. Once the bow is strung he must shoot the arrow through a series of axe ends of which are the shape of loops. The poet invokes the muse to help him tell the story of odysseus. Oct 28, 2019 the epithets, generally compound adjectives, are picturesque, which certainly helps make the assignment of character to epithet memorable.
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