Homer Essay, Research Paper
?The Odyssey? is one of only a few epics still in existence today. An epic is a long narrative poem which focuses on the lives and struggles of a great hero or heroes. Homer used many literary techniques to make his poetry more fully understood. He was very versed in his Greek gods and uses them as great heroes.
?The Odyssey? was written approximately 2500 years ago. Top scholars have spent much time attempting to confirm who created these epics, ?The Odyssey? and ?The Iliad?, when they were written, and where they were written. These scholars have made their educated guesses, however they are not all in agreement as to exactly where these two masterpieces have come from.
Today scholars are still disputing over who really wrote ?The Odyssey? and ?The Iliad?. There are notable differences between the two as far as the language and the styles. This difference has forced some scholars to the conclusion that maybe the epics were authored by a group of people verses a single authorship. Those who hold to this belief feel this way because the ?The Odyssey? is less heroic and more lifelike. The majority, however, favor the opinion that both ?The Iliad? and ?The Odyssey? were in fact authored by a single person and that single person being a man named Homer. They believe that the differences in his style can be attributed to his advancing years and that the more passionate ?Iliad? was a work of his youth.
The people of Greece hold to the belief that a man named Homer wrote both ?The Iliad? and ?The Odyssey?. No one is sure of his birthplace. There are seven different Grecian cities who claim to be the birthplace of Homer and his home. The most common belief is that Homer came from the island of Chios, which is just off the western coast of Asia Minor.
It is believed that Homer was a veteran rhapsode. A rhapsode being a poet who performs his work without reading it. Homer, more than likely, dictated his works to a scribe who penned his incredible works of poetry.
Homer is believed to have been a blind man. This is based on his character, Demodocus, the blind singer in the ?Homeric Hymns?. It is also a fact that in ancient times many rhapsodes, performers such as Homer, were in fact blind and therefore memorized their works.
As to the date that these epics were written there is once again considerable differences in opinion. By looking at the political events, his styles, his language, etc, most believe these to have been written somewhere between 600 BC and 700 BC. ?The Iliad? was written first and Homer followed up by writing ?The Odyssey?.
Homer holds an interesting attitude toward death in his works, particularly in ?The Odyssey?. He writes some very moving passages with regard to the death of many of the lesser heroes. He never lets up on getting the point across that lesser heroes are nothing in comparison to the greater heroes who have killed them.
As to the truth of the two epics no one is sure. There has been a site found by archaeological research that may indeed be the site of this great Homeric city. This city would be the site of the siege of Troy in ?The Iliad? and the occasion of the wanderings of Odysseus in ?The Odyssey?. It is possible that was trouble between two groups of people who inhabited the shores of the Aegean Sea but it is all unknown to history. Whatever the truth be of these two epics, we can rely on the fact that there was a lot of legend in the epics written by Homer.
Throughout Homer?s writings one will see continued use of a literary device called formulas. Formulas are stock phrases or descriptions that express a given idea and then is regularly repeated throughout the course of the narrative. Some examples of this device are ?far-darting Apollo?, ?rosy-fingered dawn?, and ?swift-footed Achilles?. Homer also used formulas to describe repeated actions such as ?He spoke these winged words? to describe initiation of a speech.
Homer also used symbolism and imagery as an instrument for describing in his works. Generally a poet will use a word or group of words which carry a much bigger meaning, this is a symbol. An image, on the other hand, is a word or a group of words devised to bring out sense impression of the reader. Sometimes images become symbols by association.
Despite all the disagreements and divided beliefs, one thing is sure. These two writings, ?The Iliad? and ?The Odyssey? are respected masterpieces. The two stand as pillars in the world of literature still today. It started with the Greeks and the Europeans and has continued gaining it?s popularity until the whole world uses these as examples of epic literature. Homer?s epics are second only to the ?Holy Bible? in world popularity. So no matter who wrote them, where they were written, and when they were written, they have impacted the world as no other pieces of literature have and have become a centerpiece in epic literature.
Другие работы по теме:
The Odyssey Essay Research Paper THE ODYSSEYThe
The Odyssey Essay, Research Paper THE ODYSSEY The Odyssey was full of wonder, power, and surprises. It is packed with epic heroes, creatures, gods, and goddesses. The gods, goddesses, and creatures had supernatural powers that effected the lives of Odysseus, his crew, and his family. Their actions proved to be powerful, benificial, and deadly.
Homer Essay Research Paper HOMERThere is no
Homer Essay, Research Paper HOMER There is no question that the writer of the Iliad and the Odyssey was one of the greatest poets in the history of Western Europe, but aside from this, very little can be said about him. Ancient Greek tradition, as well as a study of language and the style of the poems indicates that he probably lived and wrote sometime in the eighth or ninth centuries B.C., but no more definite date can be determined.
Parataxis Of Homer Essay Research Paper Throughout
Parataxis Of Homer Essay, Research Paper Throughout the epic poem The Odyssey, Homer employs a technique called parataxis. This technique is used frequently to identify characters in the book or explaining an event.
The Oddessy 2 Essay Research Paper A
The Oddessy 2 Essay, Research Paper A person who remains anonymous once said, The best way out of a Problem, is through it. Evidence of this statement is seen in several episodes of the epic poem, The Odyssey by, Homer. Odysseus is able to
Biography Of Homer Essay Research Paper Biography
Biography Of Homer Essay, Research Paper Biography of Homer (?-? BC) Beyond a few fragments of information, historians and classicists can only speculate about the life of the man who composed the Iliad and the Odyssey. The details are few. We do not even know the century in which he lived, and it is difficult to say with absolute certainty that the same poet composed both works.
HomerS Odyssey And VirgilS Aeneid Essay Research
Paper Virgil was a creative genius fromhis time, but it can be understandable that many of his works may have been influenced fromprevious works of literature. The Aeneid is not only a personal epic aboutn Aeneas, ut also exaltation and beautification of ROme and the future of the people. There is a greater emphasis placed upon the founding of ROme rather than the actual adventure of Aeneas.
Me Essay Research Paper
“The Odyssey” is an epic adventure that involves a great hero, mythical beasts, traitors and lovers and above all, a journey of discovery. In this lofty poem written by Homer, the Trojan war hero
Homers Odyssey And It
’s Relation To Todays Society Essay, Research Paper The Odyssey is extremely relevant today because stuff like this is still happening, not with swords and magic, of course, but with guns and politics.
The Odyssey 6 Essay Research Paper The
The Odyssey 6 Essay, Research Paper The Odyssey The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus’s journey from Troy to Ithaka. During his journey Odysseus is impeded by Poseidon and assisted by Athena. The use of olive wood as a metaphor lies in the differences between Athena and her uncle Poseidon in Odysseus’s journey back to Ithaka.
The Odyssey Character Essay On The Cyclops
Essay, Research Paper The Cyclops The Odyssey, by Homer, is an action packed epic poem and is one of the most famous in Greek literature. It describes the adventures of a great
Epics Essay Research Paper In order to
Epics Essay, Research Paper In order to be considered an epic, there are certain qualifications and standards that a piece of literature must meet. The themes and motifs incorporated in these stories are universal and the plot lines are both historical and entertaining. These epics are long poems that were originally expressed orally and later transcended into written works.
The Odyssey An Epic By Homer Essay
, Research Paper The Odyssey: An Epic By Homer What do you consider to be a hero? What traits should a hero have? My hero is Odysseus. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus proves to be a true epic hero through his intelligence, bravery, and loyalty.
The Odyssey Telemachus Essay Research Paper The
The Odyssey: Telemachus Essay, Research Paper The Odyssey: Telemachus Telemachus recounts his confrontation with the Old man of the sea who could change his appearance in order to escape danger. Telemachus reveals the
Odyssey Essay Research Paper The great muses
Odyssey Essay, Research Paper The great muses are called upon by Homer to tell the great adventure of Odysseus in his travel back to his home. Prayers are given to the Greek Gods and muses by
Agamemnon And Achilles Essay Research Paper Many
Agamemnon And Achilles Essay, Research Paper Many have speculated about the Trojan War. It s been written about in books like the Iliad and The Odyssey. A person could read in a book about this massive war between King Priam and Agamemnon, but did this massive war ever really happen? We have all heard of the mighty wooden horse in which the Greek forces broke into the mighty walls of Troy.
Odyssey A Hero Essay Research Paper An
Odyssey, A Hero? Essay, Research Paper An individual s characteristics are the key to their behavior. Homer s The Odyssey takes place about 700BC in the Mediterranean, near Greece. The epic tells of a man who left his home twenty years earlier to fight in the Trojan War. His mission now is to make his way home to Ithaca.
Odyssey And Woman Treatment Essay Research Paper
The Treatment of Women by Men in Homer?s The Odyssey Women in Homer?s The Odyssey are judged mainly by looks. If important men and gods consider a woman beautiful, or if her son is a hero or important king the woman is successful.
The Odyssey The Use Of Hubris Essay
, Research Paper “There is no safety in unlimited hubris” (McGeorge Bundy). The dictionary defines hubris as overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. In The Odyssey, Homer embodies hubris into the characters Odysseus, the Suitors, and the Cyclopes. Odysseus shows hubris when he is battling the Cyclopes, the Cyclopes show hubris when dealing with Odysseus, and the Suitors show it when Odysseus confronts them at his home.
OdysseusThe Hero Homer Essay Research Paper Odysseus
Odysseus,The Hero, Homer Essay, Research Paper Odysseus, The Hero In today*s eclectic society, everybody*s heroes are different. However, during the era Homer*s The Odyssey was created all heroes had same characteristics. Heroes were the people who saved people, they were courageous wise and had fighting spirit.
Loyalty In Odyssey Essay Research Paper LoyaltyIn
Loyalty In Odyssey Essay, Research Paper Loyalty In The Odyssey by Homer, the scene when Odysseus dog Argos recognized him after nineteen years of absence, along with Eumaios still respecting his master greatly showed that a loyal person in the Odyssey or even in the Greek society will be respected while the disloyal are despised.
The Odyssey And The Pearl Loyalty Essay
, Research Paper The Odyssey and The Pearl: Loyalty Loyalty to another person or to a cause may be an admirable trait, but it can lead to either positive or negative consequences. In Homer’s epic The
Iliad By Homer Essay Research Paper ILIADThe
Iliad By Homer Essay, Research Paper ILIAD The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer .Homer is traditionally believed to be the author both of the Iliad and the Odyssey , the two major epics of Greek antiquity. It is believed that Homer was a blind bard and dictated the epics. Nothing further is known about Homer as an individual , and in fact it is a matter of controversy whether a single person can be said to have written both the Iliad and the Odyssey .Linguistic and historical evidence , however , suggests that the poems were composed in the Greek settlements on the west coast of Asia Minor sometime in the second half of the 8th century BC
The Iliad Essay Research Paper The IliadFrom
The Iliad Essay, Research Paper The Iliad From the beginning of time and continuously through the ages there has always been the struggle between good and evil. Through the Odyssey Homer presents a clear view of both good and evil. Odysseus, the hero and main character of the Odyssey, is portrayed by Homer as the unequivocal essence of goodness and all that is right.
Homer And His Writings Essay Research Paper
Homer and His Writings “A hero is one who is born illegitimately, out of the fear of the prophecy of his future greatness, is abandoned by his father, is save by animals or others and raised by a lowly couple, fights wars, returns home triumphant, defeats his persecutors, frees his mother, becomes king, founds a city, and dies young (In Quest of the Hero vii).” Homer took this theory to heart in his writing the Odyssey.
Odyssey Patriarchy Essay Research Paper Patriarchy in
Odyssey- Patriarchy Essay, Research Paper Patriarchy in The Odyssey Women were always looked upon as inferior to males since the very beginning of time. This method, called patriarchy, was much displayed in Homer s Odyssey. The Odyssey favored the male specie, and viewed the men as more dominant than the females.
How Women Are Portrayed In Homer
’s Odyssey Essay, Research Paper Women Portrayed in Homer s The Odyssey Women were very important to the Greeks, and they showed this value in many ways. In The Odyssey Homer shows us the different ways women were looked upon through female characters, such as Penelope, Naussica, and Anticlia.
Circe Vs Calypso Essay Research Paper Although
Circe Vs Calypso Essay, Research Paper Although both Circe and Calypso from Homer s The Odyssey fulfill the archetypal theme of the witch who hinders the protagonist s return, they have several differences between them.
Hamlet Essay Research Paper Homer The
Hamlet Essay, Research Paper Homer The Homeric poems are a representation of reality- nature, animals, and men. We may reach Homer by inquiring into the picture he gives us– by seeing how true and imaginative it is. One researcher, Paolo Vivante, concludes that By Homeric imaginatition I mean that sympathetic insight whereby objects and events were first rendered by the poet in significant and revealing outlines (1).
Human Comedy Essay Research Paper One Day
Human Comedy Essay, Research Paper One Day Homer Macauley signs up for a telegram delivery job and gets it. While he delivers these letters he discovers the truth about love, hope, and pain
Odyssey Essay Research Paper OdysseyThe Odyssey is
Odyssey Essay, Research Paper OdysseyThe Odyssey is the product of a society in which the dominant role was played by men. In ancient Greece, just as in the whole of the ancient world, and in America and Western Europe until the last century, women occupied a subservient position. Society was organized and directed by men, and all of the most important enterprises were those which men arranged and implemented.
Women In Literature Essay Research Paper THE
Women In Literature Essay, Research Paper THE CHANGING ROLES OF WOMEN IN LITERATURE The changing role of women in literature from the late 8th century B. C. to the 4th century A. D. is evident in that women become even more subservient in later works. This is portrayed in the works The Odyssey by Homer and Sakuntala by Kalidasa.
Godlike Odysseus Essay Research Paper Odysseus son
Godlike Odysseus Essay, Research Paper Odysseus, son of Laertes, was godlike in many ways, but he also showed some human or mortal characteristics. In The Odyssey by Homer, he shows this in a few ways while on his way home to Ithica from the land of the Lotus-eaters, and also when he is home. Either something upsets him like a human would get upset, or he does something a human would do and normally wouldn’t see from a god.
The Human Comedy Essay Research Paper Human
The Human Comedy Essay, Research Paper Human Maturity William Saroyan s The Human Comedy, deals with ravages of life. Due to these trials, Homer is forced to mature. How he matures is a result of facing the challenges. Two very import themes that help homer mature are family and death.