similes in the iliad
In The Iliad similes are used to convey detailed images to the audience. The utilization of imagery is especially prevalent in epic poetry because of its oral tradition. Similes allowed the speaker to make a connection with his audience and render the story more vividly. The similes Homer used in The Iliad focused overwhelmingly on the Greeks and their celebrated dominance in war. Very little, however, is mentioned of any aggression on the Trojan's part. By stressing the warrior tradition of Greece and leaving the Trojans' description conspicuously bare, Homer indirectly romanticizes the Trojan's peaceful life while showing his distaste for the Greeks' unrestrained violence and belligerence. Book Three, Helen Reviews the Champions, starts with: ?...the Trojans came with cries and the din of war like wildfowl when the long hoarse cries of cranes sweep on against the sky and the great formations flee from the winters grim ungodly storm...? (3.2-3.5) Homer introduced the Trojan army as it defended Troy from a Greek assault. The phrase in bold implies grace and organization. Cranes are large, pure, and elegant-qualities befitting an efficient, yet defensive army. The "screaming of c
ranes" would duly apply to the army-a scream would intimidate and frighten the enemy, but at the same time imply a bluff or even a "warning shot" fired in final hopes of diverting a conflict. The word "flee" implies innocence and avoidance as well. Homer's diction in this context gives the impression that the Trojans may not understand why they are fighting, but are defending themselves to maintain dignity and honor. In contrast to this stands the description of Diomedes in Book Five, Diomedes Fights the Gods: ?As a stallion full-fled at the manger, stalled too long, breaking free of his tether gallops down the plain, out for his favorite plunge in a river?s cool currents...his head flung back, his mane streaming over his shoulders, sure and sleek in his glory...glittering in his armor like sun astride the skies, exultant, laughing aloud...? (6.604-6.611) In The Iliad, Homer's use of similes and the diction found within these similes show he did not necessarily support his fellow Greeks' attack on Troy. His consistent utilization of beautiful and graceful images to describe the Trojans, contrasted with his disparaging portrayal of the Greeks, insinuates his admiration for the peaceful lifestyle of the Trojans and his comparable distaste
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Troy Homer,
Troy Greek,
Fights Gods,
Similarly Greek,
Iliad Homer's,
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Homer Paris,
Reviews Champions,
Greeks Iliad,
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dark hordes,
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Approximate Word count = 851
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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