The Odyssey Literary Terms. Simile comparison between two unlike things using like or as

The OdysseyLiterary Terms

Similecomparison

between two

unlike things

using like or

as

Epic Simile (Homeric Simile)long, elaborate comparison that often continues for a number of lines

Metaphorcomparison between unlike things that have something in common

do not contain like or as

Imagerydescriptive words and phrases appeal to one or more of the five

senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch

helps reader imagine exactly what is being described

Foreshadowinguses clues to hint at later events creates suspense helps reader make inferences or

predictions

ParadoxA statement or event that sounds impossible

but seems to be true.

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” Shakespeare

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens

Ironycontrast between appearance and reality

usually when reality is the opposite of what it seems

three types of irony

VerbalSimplest kind of

ironyPeople use it

everyday when they say one thing and really mean another.

Often similar to a sarcastic response

Mean Girls

A man looked out of the window to see the storm intensify. He turned to his friend and said “wonderful weather we’re having!”

SituationalOccurs when a

situation turns out to be the opposite of what you thought it would be.

In The Gift of Magi by O. Henry, Della cuts her hair to sell it in order to have the money to buy her husband a pocket watch chain. Jim then sells the watch to buy Della hair combs.

Dramaticthe audience

knows something that the characters do not know

used to engage the audience and keep them actively involved

In Toy Story, human characters are not aware that the toys speak and move while the audience is aware

Personification

human qualities are given to an object, animal, or idea

"Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon." (Romeo and Juliet 2.2)

Epithetbrief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or thing

Examples from Book 1Zeus -“Lord of Olympus” Odysseus -“man skilled in the ways of contending”

and “the wanderer”