Free Essays: The Vivid Imagery of Homer's Odyssey

The Vivid Imagery of Homer's Odyssey

In the epic the Odyssey by Homer (translated by Robert Fitzgerald)

one of the most descriptive and best written passages in the entire epic is

"The Slaying of the Suitors" (book 23 lines1-62). This is a good passage

for many reasons, one of these is that it is a part of the story that has

been built up and anticipated by all. Another is the vivid imagery used by

Homer. There is one more reason, this being the tone of the passage. The

tone of this passage is very important to it and adds very much to it.

One of the most talked of conflicts in the Odyssey is the suitors

ravaging the possessions and house of Odysseus. They were able to do this

because he was presumed dead and they didn't worry about him coming to

protect his house and family. The impact of the passage in question is so

important because it is when Odysseus returns to his home and kills the

suitors. This is a large part of the final resolution, it al begins with

this, for once the suitors are gone Odysseus is free to reclaim is post in

society. It also gives the reader a great feeling of elation that the

suitors who are terrorizing the house of Odysseus. A quote that really

gives a good idea of the overall impact and resolution that this passage

gives is as follows "You yellow dogs, you thought I'd never make it home

from the land of Troy. You took my house to plunder, twisted my maids to

serve your beds. You dared bid for my wife while I was still alive.

Contempt was all you had for the gods who rule wide heaven, contempt for

what men say of you hereafter. Your last hour has come. You die in blood."

(page 410 lines 37-43). This quote gives a good impression of the closure

that is given by this passage, included for this purpose, because it give

Odysseus his revenge, the suitors will die in disgrace, Odysseus has

finally returned to claim his place. The dominant impression created by

this passage is summed up in the quote above, vengeance, elation at the

deaths of the suitors and the felling that Odysseus is back and he's not