Throughout The Odyssey, Homer uses many epic similes. An epic simile is a literary device found within an epic poem and is used to compare two much different things, typically over several lines. One of these epic similes written by Homer is found in Book 9 when Odysseus is speaking to the Phaeacians, telling them of his journey filled with trials and tribulations.
In line 225 or Book 9, Odysseus begins to share the misfortune he and his crew encountered when meeting Polyphemus, the Cyclops. In summary, Polyphemus was not thrilled that Odysseus and his men had taken his cheese, goats, and were waiting inside of his cave when he returned in hopes of receiving a gift of hospitality. Polyphemus, unhappy and inhospitable, traps them in his cave and keeps them there to eat. Odysseus knows that he has to find a way to save himself and his crew so he comes …show more content…
“The blood formed a whirlpool
Around its searing tip. His lids and brow
Were all singed from the heat of the burning eyeball
And its roots crackled in the fire and hissed
Like an axe-head or adze a smith dips in the water
When he wants to temper the iron-that’s how his eye
Sizzled and hissed around the olivewood stake.”
Again, this simile is given to the Phaeacians because it is a noise that they can relate to. The Phaeacians were not only great sailors; they were also great warriors and athletes who had many weapons, tools, and athletic equipment such as javelins and discuses. These were most likely made from tempered metals, meaning that the metal was heated to a very high temperature and then submerged into water.
From these lines of The Odyssey, Homer teaches the importance of knowing the audience when including an epic simile. However, every epic simile has its own specific purpose and it does not have to directly relate to the audience that the character is speaking
In line 225 or Book 9, Odysseus begins to share the misfortune he and his crew encountered when meeting Polyphemus, the Cyclops. In summary, Polyphemus was not thrilled that Odysseus and his men had taken his cheese, goats, and were waiting inside of his cave when he returned in hopes of receiving a gift of hospitality. Polyphemus, unhappy and inhospitable, traps them in his cave and keeps them there to eat. Odysseus knows that he has to find a way to save himself and his crew so he comes …show more content…
“The blood formed a whirlpool
Around its searing tip. His lids and brow
Were all singed from the heat of the burning eyeball
And its roots crackled in the fire and hissed
Like an axe-head or adze a smith dips in the water
When he wants to temper the iron-that’s how his eye
Sizzled and hissed around the olivewood stake.”
Again, this simile is given to the Phaeacians because it is a noise that they can relate to. The Phaeacians were not only great sailors; they were also great warriors and athletes who had many weapons, tools, and athletic equipment such as javelins and discuses. These were most likely made from tempered metals, meaning that the metal was heated to a very high temperature and then submerged into water.
From these lines of The Odyssey, Homer teaches the importance of knowing the audience when including an epic simile. However, every epic simile has its own specific purpose and it does not have to directly relate to the audience that the character is speaking