The Odyssey Literary Terms

Simile comparison between two unlike things using like or as

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

Metaphor comparison between unlike things that have something in common do not contain like or as

Imagery descriptive 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

Foreshadowing uses clues to hint at later events creates suspense helps reader make inferences or predictions

Paradox A 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

Irony contrast between appearance and reality usually when reality is the opposite of what it seems three types of irony

Verbal Simplest kind of irony Simplest kind of irony People use it everyday when they say one thing and really mean another. People use it everyday when they say one thing and really mean another. Often similar to a sarcastic response 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!”

Situational Occurs when a situation turns out to be the opposite of what you thought it would be. Occurs 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.

Dramatic the audience knows something that the characters do not know the audience knows something that the characters do not know used to engage the audience and keep them actively involved 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)

Epithet brief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or thing Examples from Book 1 Zeus -“Lord of Olympus” Odysseus -“man skilled in the ways of contending” and “the wanderer”