The document discusses Homeric or epic similes used in Homer's Iliad. It provides an example simile from Book 4 comparing Athena descending from Mount Olympus to enter the battle between the Greeks and Trojans to a falling star streaking across the sky. The simile uses vivid descriptive language over several lines to draw an elaborate comparison between the two events.

1. Epic or Homeric Similes A detailed comparison in simile form that is many lines in length Homer uses an object of comparison that was familiar to his audience An epic simile is used each time Agamemnon enters battle in The Iliad . Homer’s similes glorify his characters, enrich his text, and deepen his readers’ understanding.

2. Homeric Simile from The Iliad : Speaking so he stirred up Athene, who was eager before this, and she went in a flash of speed down the pinnacles of Olympos. As when the son of crooked- minded Kronos casts down a star, portent to sailors to widespread armies of peoples glittering, and thickly the sparks of fire break from it, in such likeness Pallas Athene swept flashing earthward and plunged between the two hosts; and amazement seized the beholders, Trojans, breaks of horses, and strong-greaved Achiaians -from The Iliad , book 4, lines 72-80 portent = something that foreshadows a coming event. hosts = armies

3. Homeric Simile from The Iliad : Speaking so he stirred up Athene, who was eager before this, and she went in a flash of speed down the pinnacles of Olympos . As when the son of crooked- minded Kronos casts down a star, portent to sailors to widespread armies of peoples glittering, and thickly the sparks of fire break from it, in such likeness Pallas Athene swept flashing earthward and plunged between the two hosts; and amazement seized the beholders, Trojans, breaks of horses, and strong-greaved Achiaians -from The Iliad , book 4, lines 72-80 Athena

4. Homeric Simile from The Iliad : Speaking so he stirred up Athene, who was eager before this, and she went in a flash of speed down the pinnacles of Olympos. As when the son of crooked- minded Kronos casts down a star, portent to sailors to widespread armies of peoples glittering, and thickly the sparks of fire break from it, in such likeness Pallas Athene swept flashing earthward and plunged between the two hosts; and amazement seized the beholders, Trojans, breaks of horses, and strong-greaved Achiaians -from The Iliad , book 4, lines 72-80 Athene Zeus

5. Homeric Simile from The Iliad : Speaking so he stirred up Athene, who was eager before this, and she went in a flash of speed down the pinnacles of Olympos. As when the son of crooked- minded Kronos casts down a star, portent to sailors to widespread armies of peoples glittering, and thickly the sparks of fire break from it , in such likeness Pallas Athene swept flashing earthward and plunged between the two hosts; and amazement seized the beholders, Trojans, breaks of horses, and strong-greaved Achiaians -from The Iliad , book 4, lines 72-80 Athene Zeus

6. Homeric Simile from The Iliad : Speaking so he stirred up Athene, who was eager before this, and she went in a flash of speed down the pinnacles of Olympos. As when the son of crooked- minded Kronos casts down a star, portent to sailors to widespread armies of peoples glittering, and thickly the sparks of fire break from it, in such likeness Pallas Athene swept flashing earthward and plunged between the two hosts ; and amazement seized the beholders, Trojans, breaks of horses, and strong-greaved Achiaians -from The Iliad , book 4, lines 72-80 Athene Zeus

7. Homeric Simile from The Iliad : Speaking so he stirred up Athene , who was eager before this, and she went in a flash of speed down the pinnacles of Olympos . As when the son of crooked- minded Kronos casts down a star, portent to sailors to widespread armies of peoples glittering, and thickly the sparks of fire break from it, in such likeness Pallas Athene swept flashing earthward and plunged between the two hosts ; and amazement seized the beholders, Trojans, breaks of horses, and strong-greaved Achiaians -from The Iliad , book 4, lines 72-80 Athene descending from Mt. Olympus and entering the battle on the fields of Troy is compared to blazing falling star.

8. Book 9 from The Odyssey . . . they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking, having men below to swing the two-handled strap that spins it in the groove. So with our brand we bored that great eye socket while blood ran out around the red hot bar brand = tool used to brand, or mark, animals bored = drill

9. Book 9 from The Odyssey . . . they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking, having men below to swing the two-handled strap that spins it in the groove. So with our brand we bored that great eye socket while blood ran out around the red hot bar brand = tool used to brand, or mark, animals bored = drill 1) subject = spike

10. Book 9 from The Odyssey . . . they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking, having men below to swing the two-handled strap that spins it in the groove. So with our brand we bored that great eye socket while blood ran out around the red hot bar brand = tool used to brand, or mark, animals bored = drill 1) subject = spike 2) comparison= ship builder using a drill

11. Book 9 from The Odyssey . . . they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking, having men below to swing the two-handled strap that spins it in the groove. So with our brand we bored that great eye socket while blood ran out around the red hot bar brand = tool used to brand, or mark, animals bored = drill 1) subject = spike 2) comparison= ship builder using a drill 3) return to subject to complete comparison

12. Extra Credit Create your own Homeric simile Establish a character, real or imaginary Create a detailed comparison with something your audience would be familiar Word process. You may increase and change font style Due Monday, November 16 15 possible points - Homework