Literary techniques

Divine intervention

When the gods get involved in the actions of mortals

Formula

The repetition of scenes (makes it easier for the bard to recite)

Flashback

When the story jumps in time to the past

Epithets

Adjectives connected to a name (wise Penelope)

Direct speech

Using quote marks, reports exactly what a character is saying

Similes

Used as a comparative (something is like something else)

Moral message

Gives the reader something to come away with to improve their morals