Use of techniques in the Odyssey

Divine intervention

Book 10: Hermes helps Odysseus by giving him moly; book 22: Athena helps Odysseus multiple times with light and making the volleys of spears miss

Formula

Description of dawn’s arrival throughout the epic poem

Epithets

Shrewd Odysseus, wise Penelope, sensible Telemachus, gatherer of the clouds (Zeus) - adds to the reader’s enjoyment as they can understand more of a character’s personality through their description and not just an interpretation of their actions

Flashback

Almost all of Books 9 and 10 as Odysseus is describing his adventures to Alcinous, King of the Phaeacians

Fantasy and the supernatural

Circe is a witch-goddess, the Cyclops are terrifying monsters which create tension and excitement in the books

Direct speech

Creates an impression of character through the bias of one person’s opinion and imparts knowledge to the reader

Similes

This aids the contemporary audience as an action is likened to something that they would be familiar with, such as cows coming home, or putting a mast in a ship, or drilling a hole in something

Moral message

Seen in books 19, 21 and 22 as the suitors receive consequences for their actions (of abusing Xenia and courting Penelope shamelessly) through their deaths