Diction In The Odyssey
In this passage of Demodocus' Song from Book VIII of The Odyssey , “A Day for Songs and Contests”, Homer creates a contrasting effect in presenting the nature of Odysseus between the two paragraphs, one conveys strength and power, while the expresses melancholy and mourning. This is shown though the usage of diction and imagery. In the first paragraph, Homer uses diction such as ruthless, monstrous, death, slaughter, and ravaged. The usage of these words convey strength and ruthlessness. Odysseus’ men were going to bring “death and slaughter...down on Troy...and…[ravage] the steep city.” Thus, creating a very fierce and fearful effect. But in the second paragraph, by using words like, weeps, clings, and heartbreaking torment, Homer is able
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To create a descriptive representation of when the troops attacked Troy, Homer writes, “troops of Achaeans broke from cover, streaming out of horses hollow flanks to plunder Troy - he sang how left and right they ravaged the steep city.” These two selections from the passage convey an aggressive nature and strength by describing the attack and Troy’s inevitable loss with vivid imagery. In the second paragraph, Homer uses an epic simile to describe the extent of Odysseus’ anguish and heartache by comparing Odysseus’ emotional state as that of a deeply heartbroken woman. Within the epic simile, Homer uses imagery to describe the crying woman. He writes, “her arms flung around her darling husband, a man who fell in battle, fighting for town and townsmen, trying to beat the day of doom from home and children. Seeing the man go down, dying, gasping for breath, she clings for dear life, screams and shrills.” This quote displays deep emotional pain and turmoil, as it portrays an image of a woman grieving a devastating loss. This is quite different from the image created in the first paragraph, they contrast in terms of how they both convey different effects to the reader. One is conveys strength and power, especially that of Odysseus, as he is the one who led the battle. But in the other paragraph, the reader sees that Odysseus is no longer that strong warrior, as he is shown displaying deep pain and
To create a descriptive representation of when the troops attacked Troy, Homer writes, “troops of Achaeans broke from cover, streaming out of horses hollow flanks to plunder Troy - he sang how left and right they ravaged the steep city.” These two selections from the passage convey an aggressive nature and strength by describing the attack and Troy’s inevitable loss with vivid imagery. In the second paragraph, Homer uses an epic simile to describe the extent of Odysseus’ anguish and heartache by comparing Odysseus’ emotional state as that of a deeply heartbroken woman. Within the epic simile, Homer uses imagery to describe the crying woman. He writes, “her arms flung around her darling husband, a man who fell in battle, fighting for town and townsmen, trying to beat the day of doom from home and children. Seeing the man go down, dying, gasping for breath, she clings for dear life, screams and shrills.” This quote displays deep emotional pain and turmoil, as it portrays an image of a woman grieving a devastating loss. This is quite different from the image created in the first paragraph, they contrast in terms of how they both convey different effects to the reader. One is conveys strength and power, especially that of Odysseus, as he is the one who led the battle. But in the other paragraph, the reader sees that Odysseus is no longer that strong warrior, as he is shown displaying deep pain and