Essay on "Iliad Similes the Iliad's Monotony"

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Iliad Similes

The Iliad's Monotony and the Use of Similes

Because the Iliad was meant to be recited orally, it had to be relatively easy for Greek bards, the rhapsodes, to remember. Out of necessity, the rhapsodes who composed the Iliad used a number of pneumonic aids, such as eponyms and stock descriptions. Furthermore, the numerous battle-scenes are built on repetitive, formulaic phrasing that rely on common rhythms and narrative structures.

Considering the use of repetitive phrasing relative to its length, the Iliad could have been flat, perhaps even boring. However, Homer and the rhapsodes preceding him added color and variety to an otherwise repetitive description of battles through the use of similes. Some of these similes were quite elaborate: "They, as when the big waves on the sea wide-wandering wash across the walls of a ship underneath the leaning force of the wind, which particularly piles up the big waves, so the Trojans with huge clamour went over the rampart and drove their horses to fight alongside the grounded vessels, with leaf-headed spears, some at close quarters, others from their horses."

Homer's similes, in fact, were so effective that they are now known as Homeric similes.

Whereas the monotony of the set-piece battles in the first chunk of the story required these similes, the thrilling chase and duel in the book's climax requires no such aids. It is odd then, to find even more similes in Book 22 than most of the previous Books. The difference between the similes in Book 22 and the similes in preceding chapters is that the audience already knows how the story will end by Book 22. This

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knowledge opens up a new role for the Homeric simile: to convey irony. Precisely because they are put into play by the word "like," similes prove particularly useful for calling attention to things that are "unlike."

The Role of Book 22 in the Iliad

Before one can understand the use of similes in Book 22, it is useful to place Book 22 in its context. Book 22 differs from the preceding chapters of the Iliad because it revolves around a duel instead of a battle, with a highly intense chase scene beforehand. In the confrontation between the two heroes, it isolates for the audience the naked cruelty and savagery of war which had hitherto been concealed within the violence and confusion of battle. Just as there was nothing to obscure the terror of Achilles' wrath for Hector, there was nothing here to distract the audience from the horror of war which had proved so compelling and entertaining just a few chapters previous.

What the audience encounters within the climax of book 22 is a letdown, a sobering letdown from the busy bloodlust and bravado pervading the massive battles before it. Instead, the mood is dominated by more mundane emotions, with the heroes expressing both anger and despair, defiance and grace, haughtiness and shame. In this way, the audience is forced to confront the fragility and humanity of the two godlike warriors.

Irony through Contrast

Homer sought to highlight the savagery of war in a battle so close to the city of Troy… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Iliad Similes the Iliad's Monotony" Assignment:

“

NO OUTSIDE SOURCES!!!!!!! Use Iliad translated by R. Lattimore

Formal essay style with clear thesis statement, and textual evidence and cited in support of arguments.

Structure:

Intro:

1 )Information that sets up the thesis statement

Avoid: A) no mere plot-summary (retell plot-events only as necessary to set up your argument)

B) no generalization about the *****" Greeks*****" , focus rather on what happens in the literary world of the author.

2) thesis statement. your essay should not *****" show how*****" something operates but establish that something is true

First argument paragraph:

1) topic sentence: general conclusion drawn from a group of evidence in support of your thesis

2) Evidence: evidence from text ( quote/ cite) and how it supports your argument.

3) concluding statement; recapitulate topic sentence

Second argument paragraph.....

third argument paragraph....

......

Conclusion:

1) restate that the argument you have made and the evidence you have cited establish that your thesis is correct

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