Techniques Flashcards
Flashback
A literary device that interrupts the chronological order of a story to present what happened in the past. Effects could be:
Characterisation (dependent on the perspective of the flashback).
Clever ways from the bard to keep the plot interesting.
Understanding of the past to enrich the current plot.
Epithet
A descriptive phrase or adjective that expresses a quality or characteristic of a person, place, or thing, often used in literature to add depth and imagery.
Epithets are used frequently to emphasize particular traits of characters or objects, making them more memorable and helping to maintain the rhythm of the verse.
Formulae
standardized, repeated phrases or expressions used by the poet to fit the rhythm and meter of the verse. These formulaic expressions often describe characters, places, or actions in a consistent way and help the poet compose and recite the poem more easily.
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words “like” or “as” to highlight a shared characteristic.
In The Odyssey, Homer frequently employs similes to enhance the narrative, create dramatic imagery, and deepen the listener/reader’s connection to the story. These similes often compare characters or actions to natural phenomena, animals, or everyday activities, making the epic’s events more relatable and vivid.
Speeches
Speeches refer to extended passages where a character expresses their thoughts, emotions, or arguments directly, often in a formal or elevated manner. In epic poetry, speeches are a key narrative device, providing insight into characters’ motivations, advancing the plot, and revealing themes.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another, without using the words “like” or “as” (which are used in similes). This comparison is made to highlight a shared characteristic between the two things, creating a more vivid or
Personification
a figure of speech in which human qualities, characteristics, or actions are attributed to non-human entities, such as animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. By giving human traits to these things, personification helps create vivid imagery and emotional resonance, making the descriptions more relatable and engaging for the reader.
Symbolism
a literary device where a person, object, action, or concept is used to represent something beyond its literal meaning, often an abstract idea or a deeper theme. Symbols can be used to convey complex ideas, emotions, or concepts in a more nuanced and powerful way, adding layers of meaning to a text.
Dactylic Hexameter
The meter of epic - refers to the rhythm of the lines the bard had to fill to perform the poem
