Homeric Epithet and Irony in the Odyssey

Homeric Epithet

a picture of the rising Sun with various colors

Why would rosy-fingered Dawn be an appropriate
Homeric epithet for this image?

One of the literary devices that Homer uses throughout the Odyssey is called an epithet, specifically a Homeric epithet. An epithet is a descriptive word or phrase that is used with, or in place of, a name or title. The Homeric epithet presents a quick description of a person or thing by emphasizing certain characteristics. This description was used by Homer mostly to remind his listening audience of the character about whom he sings. Here are a few examples which you have already encountered:

  • Odysseus, raider of cities
  • Much-enduring Odysseus
  • Rosy-fingered Dawn
  • Paris, lord of the fair-haired Helen
  • Earth-shaker Poseidon
  • The wine-dark sea
  • Bright-eyed Athena
  • Tiresias, seer of Thebes

Homer repeats his epithets often, just like the repeating of a chorus in a song. Epithets are musical, and they keep the personality and traits of the person or thing being described in the forefront of the listener's mind.

Books XIII - XV of the Odyssey

Books XIII - XV of the OdysseyIn this interactivity, find out what happens in Books XIII through XV of the Odyssey. Click on each of the tabs of the folder to learn about the content of each book, and prepare yourself to read Books XVI and XVII. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of the interactivity.




Irony in the Odyssey

You have already learned about the three different types of irony, and now you are going to apply them to your reading of the Odyssey. As a review, the definitions for each of the different types of irony are available in the table below.

Type of Irony Definition
Dramatic Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience knows something about a character’s situation that the character does not know. Dramatic irony adds an element of suspense and tension to a story.
Situational

Situational irony is when the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected. It is the difference between what someone thinks is going to happen and what really happens.
Verbal Verbal irony occurs when an author or character says one thing, but means something else. It is very similar to sarcasm in that what is said is often the opposite of what is meant.

Examples of Irony in the Odyssey

Once you have refreshed your knowledge of the three different types of irony, roll your cursor over each of the icons below to learn how Homer used irony in the Odyssey.

Homer uses dramatic irony in the Odyssey when Odysseus is disguised as a beggar. While the swineheard Eumaeus does not know that the beggar is Odysseus, the audience does know.Homer demonstrates situational irony in the Odyssey when Odysseus’s mother appears in the Underworld. Neither Odysseus nor the reader expected this to occur when Odysseus was seeking Tiresias.Homer demonstrates verbal irony in the Odyssey when the cyclops yells that “Noman” is blinding him. While he says “No man,” he actually means that he is being attacked by someone named “Noman.”

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Book XVI and Book XVII of the Odyssey

reading iconNow, read Book XVI and Book XVII of the Odyssey by Homer. Make sure to use your active reading strategies with any unfamiliar vocabulary words. While you read, take specific notes about the plans made by Odysseus and Telemachus. Is the reunion between Odysseus and Penelope what you expected?