How Diction Creates Pity in The Odyssey
In “The Odyssey” an epic poem Homer uses diction to create a pitiful mood within book 17 as a description of Argos, Odysseus’ dog is given. While a comparison of Argos’ past and present is given he is described to be “Treated as rubbish now…”(319.383). The word rubbish means a “waste material”, for one to “reject as worthless”, and being useless. All of which carry a negative connotation; by stating that Argos is now treated as rubbish it is shown that Argos is seen as a waste and worthless. By giving insight that Argos is seen as this worthless piece of trash it is easy to view the harsh treatment he undergoes daily thus creating a pitiful mood. While Homer describes Argos’ reaction to hearing Odysseus’ voice diction is put into play once again to create a pitiful mood in …show more content…
The word strength means “the quality or state of being strong”, also known as a “good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing” the use of the word “no” in front of strong means anti thus meaning Argos lacks this beneficial quality of possessing the power to move towards his master which he desires to do in this passage. Argos is incapable of doing as he wishes; this restraint causes us to feel sorry for Argos furthermore creating a pitiful mood. Lastly as Odysseus portrays how he is shocked that the townspeople would allow for Argos to be treated in such a terrible way it is stated, “…he [Argos] would have been a fine dog…” (320.398). The phrase would have means a lack of fulfillment, showing what Argos could have been, but never
In “The Odyssey” an epic poem Homer uses diction to create a pitiful mood within book 17 as a description of Argos, Odysseus’ dog is given. While a comparison of Argos’ past and present is given he is described to be “Treated as rubbish now…”(319.383). The word rubbish means a “waste material”, for one to “reject as worthless”, and being useless. All of which carry a negative connotation; by stating that Argos is now treated as rubbish it is shown that Argos is seen as a waste and worthless. By giving insight that Argos is seen as this worthless piece of trash it is easy to view the harsh treatment he undergoes daily thus creating a pitiful mood. While Homer describes Argos’ reaction to hearing Odysseus’ voice diction is put into play once again to create a pitiful mood in …show more content…
The word strength means “the quality or state of being strong”, also known as a “good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing” the use of the word “no” in front of strong means anti thus meaning Argos lacks this beneficial quality of possessing the power to move towards his master which he desires to do in this passage. Argos is incapable of doing as he wishes; this restraint causes us to feel sorry for Argos furthermore creating a pitiful mood. Lastly as Odysseus portrays how he is shocked that the townspeople would allow for Argos to be treated in such a terrible way it is stated, “…he [Argos] would have been a fine dog…” (320.398). The phrase would have means a lack of fulfillment, showing what Argos could have been, but never