Sunday, February 1, 2009
Epithets
Almost every mention of a character in this book is accompanied by an epithet - 'rosy-fingered Dawn,' 'the grey-eyed goddess,' 'the man of twists and turns,' 'the true son of Odysseus'...What sense can you make of these epithets? What kinds of information do they convey -- about Greek society, about gender, about the relationship between humans and the gods, or about individual characters?
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Throughout the first book of the Odyssey, the epithets give the reader more detailed information about the characters. It also gives the reader more personal information about the characters in the Odyssey and the thoughts they have. Also because there are so many characters (over twenty pages worth) in the story it helps the reader remember each character by the epithet about them. The epithets help the reader understand what the character is talking about during conversations. Overall, cool-headed, young, and poised Telemachus, the bewitching nymph, the lustrous goddess Calypso, great Odysseus and sparkling-eyed Athena reflect their epithets in what they say.
ReplyDeleteThus far in our reading of The Odyssey... Many characters have been
ReplyDeleteintroduced and many of their names were presented along with an
epithet. I believe that one of the main reasons for these epithets is
for the reader to better remember and differentiate the overwhelming
number of characters in the book. Epithets are simply a short phrase
describing a character in some sense, weather it is a physical trait,
describing an action of the character, their divinity, their family ties, or their power.
Epithets that describe females or goddesses in the Odyssey usually
depict their beauty, an example of this is in book five when
introducing Ino, it described her as, 'Cadmus' daughter with lovely ankles.' This is an example of both depicting beauty and explaining family relationships through an epithet. When involving males epithets usually depict their strength, such as wether they are royal or not or a god.
Epithets have many functions in the Odyssey. One of these functions is to introduce a character so that the reader knows what to expect. for example, Athena is first introduced as "sparkling-eyed Athena," before she does anything which would make the reader think of her as "sparkling-eyed." In this way, the reader knows what to expect; a compassionate, kind character. Before the Odyssey even goes into depth with the story of Odysseus, epithets describe him as great, wise, and "that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long." by the time you actually see Odysseus doing anything, you already have a solid idea of who he is.
ReplyDeleteEpithets also do help the reader remember characters, as Riley and Liam said. This is because when a reader sees an epithet, even if they forget who the character is, they can still remember the character's traits. If you see the name Calypso, but don't remember who this is, you know nothing. But if you see "lustrous goddess," or "bewitching nymph," even if you don't know who the book is talking about, you still know who they are and to some extent, their role in the Odyssey. In this way, Epithets keep the reader on track.
With most of the epithets in this book, there is a great difference between the regular themes of the epithets of the women and the epithets of the men. Most of the descriptions about the men have to do with power or "manly" strength, while the descriptions for the women are almost always physical, but representing a dainty beauty. I believe that the use of epithets is very interesting, and helps the reader to get a lasting image and constant reminder of a certain character's striking traits, but in this book has only become a reminder or men's power over women. An example of this is Athena's epithet. Whenever Athena is refered to it says "Athena the bright eyed goddess" or "sparkling eyed Athena". This quote represents a feminine physical characteristic and shows Athena as beautiful, but appreciated more for her beauty than her personality and incredible things that she does as a goddess. Also, most times a woman character who is not a main character in the story is always refered to as "the daughter of..." or "the wife of...", showing that women were recognized because of their male relatives and gained status through men instead of themselves. An example of this comes from Icarius's daughter Penelope. She is refered to not as Penelope, but as "Icarius's daughter Penelope" so that people see her relations to a good family. An example of a different epithet is Poseidon. Poseidon is always refered to as "the Earth Shaker". This epithet shows his strength and power, and the way that Poseidon uses his strength and power. This is different from the epithets of the women because Poseidon's epithet gives such a powerful dominant tone, while the women still have power, just is much less visible through their descriptions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the recent post, especially when the point was brought up with Homer using the epithets to describe gender roles with men and women and gods and goddesses. Epithets are common epic elements, which allow us to easily identify the character or object. Homer used epithets not merely to complete rhythm patterns. Epithets deepen the meaning of each noun that they modify. Epithets can inform the reader about the character’s origin, parentage, appearance or state, skill-set, position, or heroic quality. One type of use for the epithets is when they are used to identify individuals and give the audience an opportunity to recognize their favourites. Another use for the epithets is when they are used to describe realism by appealing appeal to the experience of the audience because of their familiarity with known folk-heroes, places, skills, objects. Also Homer used epithets to describe colour and vividness in the narrative. The epithets make it possible to visualise what is mentioned. In a long narrative, such as an epic poem, variation and detail must be introduced often to avoid tediousness. One example of Homer using epithets to identify a person is describing Poseidon. Being an earth-shaker, dark-haired god powerful lord, encircler of the earth, and sea lord identifies him. Also I found that Homer repeatedly describes many of his characters or objects in his story with the same phrase. Epithets stress a quality of what they are describing. The same character often is given several different epithets. The epithets were not used to illustrate a specific aspect of the figure at the moment he is being spoken of, but were chosen to fit the meter of the line.
ReplyDeleteFirst off an epithet is an adjective accompanying a pronoun to help explain someone or something… In this Epic many of the epithets help others and I understand a character. One of the many said epics about Zeus is, “Great Zeus” from this epithet alone I can conclude that he is great, powerful, omnipotent. Although when epithets occur it tends to be gender based; when the epithet, “grey-eyed” comes up I have the ability to conclude that this goddess is lonely, and weak. Although for males epithets they show a more dominant type, “Poseidon raider of cities.” (9. 587) shows a warlike male figure unlike many females. Humans and gods tend to be very similar with epithets, both get similar ones, however sometimes goddess’s are referred to as “The goddess” making them a bit more powerful.
ReplyDeleteEpithets aren't just a way to remember people but a way to depict their physical appearance. From epithets we can get a sense of who someone is from their physical features. Everyone kept saying how its a great way to remember names because there are so many, but we have a glossary in the back of the book. So, I don't believe that's the main reason for epithets but there is a underlying meaning for them. I agree with JaNae about how men's epithets are shown by signs of different powers and women's epithets show their beauty. I believe epithets are also used to show the God's powers, like Poseidon "The Earth Shaker". From epithets we are able to determine that the Greek Society judged women on their beauty and I think they respected women the more beautiful they were. Also, physical strength was a sign of power, like money is in our society.
ReplyDeleteAn epithet is a term or phrase used to portray the nature of an event, object or character. In the Odyssey, Homer uses epithets to create a visual picture of the character. The epithets add detail that leaves the reader with a better sense of the characters role in the story. Epithets are commonly used as descriptions of beauty, greatness or strength. When epithets are used to describe women, they are generally associated with appearance such as “white-armed Nausicaa”. However, epithets describing men are frequently related to prominence or power such as “great Alcinous” or “thoughtful Odysseus”. The difference between male epithets and female epithets is significant to the idea of gender in the Odyssey. While women are perceived as pretty and lovely, men are dominant in the society and appear as the hero’s of the story. Overall, Homers use of epithets gives the book more color and depth.
ReplyDeleteFirst, lets start with a definition of epithet from OED: An adjective indicating some quality or attribute which the speaker or writer regards as characteristic of the person or thing described.
ReplyDeleteThere are perhaps a few reasons why these epithets are used in this book.
First and probably the best reason as to why these epithets were even used was because these epics [Homer's The Odyssey and the Iliad] were passed down by person and was not written for a long time. It would have been very difficult for people to be keeping track of all of these characters in the Odyssey without having some sort of descriptive phrase which would be used a mnemonic. This is best applicable in Chapter 11 where Odysseus travels to the underworld and numerous characters are introduced. Without these types of mnemonic, it is arguably impossible to keep track of who is whom.
Second, an epithet can be used to convey to the reader a little detail regarding a character even before he is fully introduced to the reader. For example, "Giant-Killer" of "Giant-Killer Hermes" implies that in the past, Hermes has been involved with giants. With collection, these small tidbits of information can be conveyed through epithets which then provide the reader with some additional information regarding the character in the story.
Thus, epithets are useful especially in the Odyssey, where the amount of character and the amount of information itself is very large comparative to other epics we have read this year.
I agree with the point Josh brought up when he said one of the purpose for epithets was to, "introduce a character so that the reader knows what to expect." In many occasions of the Odyssey, an epithet gives the character an appropriate and brief description of themselves. This not only helps the reader recognize the character and aspects of their physical appearance and personality, but also helps them become more familiar with the character as the story continues. For example, Calypso is described as "the lustrous goddess" on many occasions. From this, we know of Calypso's power as a goddess, as well as her immense beauty. A second example is when Odysseus is referred to as "city sacking". From this epithet we can conclude that Odysseus was involved in piracy. In addition to this, Epithets usually describe the physical appearance of a character. Nausicaa is described as "white armed" in many instances. We now, from this, know a physical characteristic of the princess.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the Odyssey, characters are introduced. In most of these introductions are epithets. Epithets are used in this epic poem to help readers understand the characters personality, accomplishments, or appearance. Some epithets describe the beauty of goddesses such as Ino who is described with epithets that discuss her lovely ankles and human voice. Males receive eptithets that depict their personality, strength, ablility, or accomplishemnts. Odysseus has many epithets such as the unluckiets man alive, sacker of cities,and more.
ReplyDeleteEpithets are a basically an alternate name for some one. They not only say who the person is, but they also describe that person and give the reader a sense of the person's greatness. The epithet gives the person/god more presence and makes them seem very powerful and strong. The epithets give off vibes of power for instance Hermes was referred to as the "giant killer". If someone is called "giant killer" then they have probably killed giants which seems like quite a feat. The epithets also give some background information which can tell the reader at least a little about the character.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion female epithets suggest that women who obtain any form of power have received that power either from their beauty or the accomplishments of their fathers or husbands.
ReplyDeleteAthena is first introduced to the reader as "sparkling-eyed Athena, daughter of Zeus." there is no mention of her accomplishments; even though now as we reach book X11 we realize she has accomplished a lot. Even Calypso (who has been able to hold Odysseus captive for so long) has an epithet that only portrays her beauty, "the lustrous goddess"; although it is arguable I believe Calypso is actually quite intelligent and deserves a more rewarding epithet. The one that really stands out for me, however, is Dawn "with the red rose finger", surely someone who brings the light of day to mankind each day deserves a greater form of recognition.
So although the Odyssey does not deny that females do not obtain power; how they have got the power in the first place, is not through their own doings.
Most of the comments above have emphasized several great points about epithets and their significance in the Odyssey. There are several epithets in the story, one in at least every book. Personally to me, epithets make it easier to identify the character and remember them later on, because there is a great amount of characters in the book. Epithets also give a very short description of the character’s unique characteristic, be it physical or personal. These small descriptions give a little glimpse into what the character is like and whether he/she is good or evil. One of the interesting things that I’ve noticed about epithets is that not all characters have epithets. Thus, the pattern is that characters that play an important role in the story have epithets; while the ones that are not as important, minor characters, don’t. Some of the epithets that associate with physical traits are rather metaphorical and give an impression that they have to be analyzed. Another thing is that a few epithets in the book tend to vary. For example, Dawn is referred to as “The rosy-fingered Dawn” and the “Dawn with lovely locks”. The rosy-fingered Dawn is in my opinion, a fitting epithet for Dawn as she is the one who brings “light and life” on Earth. Odysseus, being the main character is granted with the epithet “The promising Odysseus”. His epithet proves that a lot can be said about a person and his/her actions in one word because throughout the book, Odysseus turns out to be a promising individual.
ReplyDeleteEpithets are a different name for the person it is describing. When it was told orally, the epithets made it easier for the listener to remember what each character was like. For example, Odysseus is “the man of twists and turns” (1.1), which shows that he is crafty and very cunning. The epithets for the males and females are different though in the Odyssey. The women are more characterized by their appearance. For example, Nausicaa is described as “a match for the deathless gods in build and beauty” (6.19), and Athena is “sparkled-eyed” (1.53), “bright-eyed” (1.367), and “clear-eyed” (6.124). Women are also usually characterized as weak. Penelope is described as “wary and reserved” (1.379). Men on the other hand are characterized by their actions or how strong they are. For example, Polyphemus is described as “powerful Polyphemus” (9.497), and Zeus is described “where shield is storm and thunder” (6.117). Also, the epithets seem to show that the society was more patriarchal. Whenever it describes someone’s parentage, it will relate them to their father. One example would be Telemachus. One epithet describing him was that he was “truly Odysseus’ son” (1.84). The epithet doesn’t say that he is Penelope’s son, just Odysseus. Nausicaa is the “daughter of King Alcinous” (6.20), not the daughter of Queen Arete. In conclusion, epithets show that society is patriarchal, and that men are shown with power, while women are shown with beauty.
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