Narrative & Descriptive techniques

The Odyssey contains a lot of repetitive phrases to make it easier to memorise

Techniques

Epithet

descriptive phrases for Characters which highlight a key aspect of their character e.g. “Noble Odysseus”

Formulae

Longer repeated phrases e.g. Dawn is “fresh and rosy-fingered”

Simile

using “like” or “as” for a comparison to help the reader visualise something

Topoi

A poetic scene that occurs regularly to add charm and create a sense of familiarity e.g. the gory detail in Polyphemus’ cave and the battle in the great hall

Dramatic Irony

When a character doesn’t know the full significance of something but the readers do e.g. Antinous saying the bow will seal the suitor’s fate

Detailed Description

Helps the reader to picture the scene completely and feel more involved in the story, it helps to raise the importance of a scene or object e.g. when Homer describes the wine Odysseus takes before offering it to Polyphemus

Pace

This is important for keeping the readers interested, Homer varies the pace regularly, sometimes a slow pace helps to build tension to a climax

Pathos

Greek for “suffering”, its when the author creates sympathy for a character, trying to create sadness and pity from the reader e.g. when Telemachus kills the maids

Myths/Stories

Odysseus retells most of his journey and Eurycleia mentions how he got the scar on his leg

Direct Speech

in Books 9 and 10, Odysseus is telling Alcinous his story, with this we gain an overlook into the real thoughts of characters