The Use of Similes in the Iliad - Book Report/Review Example

s The Use of Similes in the Book Iliad The Iliad is set in the world of Greek heroics and how they conducted their battles. The Achilles, who is a renowned warrior of that time, is preoccupied with material greed, and he does anything to ensure their reputation within the community is intact. Achilles and Hector often boost and taunt each other as witnessed in the final duel. The core theme of the Iliad is the anger of Achilles, which begins with Achilles’ argument in Book one, and sees the killing of Hector in Book twenty-two. The anger is not put to rest until Hector meets with Priam in Book twenty-four. The similes are the most common tools that the author employ to describe these epic events. The author uses similes to describe the scenes of the Greek and Trojans lives and their culture. The literacy technique used by the author adds flavors to the narrative and helps the readers and listeners to picture more clearly the events of the times (Finkelberg 10). This paper outlines the use of similes in the book of Iliad. In Book Two of Iliad, the author presents King Agamemnon addressing his assembly on his tactics to rally the troops with reverse psychology. After the announcement is made, King Agamemnon is startled to see the ranks. He takes the advantage of the opportunity to leave by bordering a ship. The author describes this hilarious scene as “…bees that sally from the same hollow cave and flit in countless throng among the spring flowers, bunched in knots and clusters…” (Rabel 69). The simile the author employs is stained with dark words such as “hollow cave” and “bunched in knots and clusters”, hence giving the bees a portentous tone. The Greeks are described as throngs of weak-kneed wimps which is not the case since they go on to win the war, but the author uses specific description to negatively portray the Greek army in favour of the Trojans. In Iliad, the Trojans are presented to be quiet and they lose most of their battles. The author uses similes to guide the reader and listener to the direction of his personal views in favour of the Trojans. Throughout the battles fought between the two sides, the victory and all the great things are linked to the Greeks’ army. It can be imagined that, the author attempts to balance the two sides by favoring the Trojans especially Hector. The author achieves this by pointing the lesser-heard tales of Greeks stupidity in his descriptions. Further, the author uses the same kind of simile when the Greek warriors change their mind about leaving and instead return to Scamander. The author noted that, “…they stood as thick upon the flower-bespangled field as the leaves bloom in summer” (Mueller, 102). This kind of a description assumes juxtaposition. Using “flower-bespangled field”, the author attempts to present the absurdity of the Greeks, as they change positions from fleeing to brazenness, the way flowers do in the field of death. In this case, the author uses imagery to capture the attention of both his readers and listeners in depicting the epic events in his literature. The author also employs similes in Book three of Iliad, in favour of the Trojans. He notes, “…the Trojans advanced as a flight of wild fowl, or cranes that scream overhead when rain and winter drives them over the flowing water of the ocean” (Rabel 71). The author’s use of the word “crane” brings the picture of pureness and graceful qualities of an efficient army, which in this case implies to the Trojans. The screaming of the crane is used to imply a terrifying scream meant to put off the enemy. The author chooses the simile with precision in order to convey his intended message effectively. He gives the Trojan the appearance and quality of grace unlike the Greek army, which is presented as predatory animals. This is another evident technique, which the author uses to stir his audience by giving the Trojan troops honor that they fail to achieve in battle; therefore, achieving the balance of power between the two sides. The author further employs similes in book fourteen and fifteen of the Iliad to describe Ajax and Hector as mighty, fierce, and great fighters. The simile employed compares them to magnificent creatures like lions, horses, and eagles. The author is interesting in his view by drawing a comparison between people and valiant beasts. In Book 14, Ajax is compared to an eagle when he lifts an enormous spike that is about forty feet long, and uses it to jump from ship to ship. The author notes “…like a golden eagle dive-bombing down, to a river bank where a flock of wild geese, or cranes or long-necked swans are feeding…” (Muller 103). By observing Ajax, the act is marveling, and he is like an eagle swooping down and up the ships. In addition, the troops fighting the battle are compared to a flock of feeding birds, to show their tenacity in the battlefield. The author beautifies Ajax and portrays him as a giant, giving him extra respect that extends beyond the battlefield. The author’s specific description in the use of similes demonstrates to readers and listeners the heroic nature of Ajax in the battlefield. In Book fifteen of the Iliad, the author compares Hector to a glorious horse. This is after Hector has received strength and healing from Apollo; the god who heals. He gets stronger, joins the fight, and urges his rally to fight harder. The author states, “ …picture a horse that has barely eaten in its stall…..a glorious animal, head held high, mane streaming, like a wind on his shoulder. Sure of his splendor…” (Mueller 105). The author refers to Hector as horse that has barely eaten to describe his state before his healing from Apollo. He refers to him as a “glorious animal” to portray his newfound strength after healing from Apollo, and the way he brilliantly mobilizes his troop in the battle. The author reveals to his audience the role of Apollo and transformation of Hector to a fearless fighter by employing glorious imagery. The author further demonstrates the use of rich similes in Book sixteen of the Iliad when he attempts to emphasize and dramatize particular scenes to make them more meaningful to his audience. He achieves this by employing elaborate form of comparison in creating sensational meaning to both readers and listeners. In line three, the author notes “….like a spring dark- running down the face of a rock impassible drips its down water” (Mueller 108). Using this simile, the author is able to compare Patroklos’s warm tears to that of a spring. The use of the simile is to emphasize particularly how Patroklos was overwhelmed with emotions when he approached Achilleus. Upon further analyzing of the author’s description, it can be noted that he is drawing a comparison between the two opposing emotions being expressed. The author illustrates this by noting that as Patroklos cries; Achilleus shows him pity but at the same time mocks at his actions. The importance of the simile in this book is that, it sets the tone while at the same time-sharing a certain understanding of the importance of character and power. The simile compares the emotion of Patroklos and Achilleus, pointing out the significance of power. Moreover, another simile is used when the author compares the fearless Danaans to wild wolves. The author notes that, “they as wolves make havoc among lambs or young goats in their fury, catching them out of the flocks... and they have no heart for fighting, so the Danaans ravaged the Trojans, and these remembered the bitter sound of terror, and forgot their furious valour” (Mueller, 121). The author’s over-exaggerated technique emphasizes the importance of strength and superiority of Danaans when fighting the Trojans. The descriptive language used together with action words incorporated, creates a scene of high-intensity, and is captivating to the audience. The author’s comparison of the two climatic conflicts by use of a familiar figure of speech makes his literature easy for readers and listeners of the modern time to understand. Another simile is used in describing the killing of Thestor by Patroklos. The author writes “…Patroklos coming close up to him stabbed with a spear-thrust at the right side of the jaw and drove it on through the teeth …. as a fisherman who sits out on the jut of a rock with line and glittering bronze hook drags a fish… out of the water” (Rabel, 74). Through its vivid description, this simile gives the audience a graphic view of the scenes in the author’s literature. The actual comparison is that of Patroklos stabbing Thestor in his chin and pulling him over the rail, which is, likened that of a fisherman hooking and pulling a fish out of water. This is a clever technique used by the author to keep the audience alert and involved in his literature. The author is successful in turning obvious details into marveling imagery to keep readers and listeners awake and involved. The above analysis indicates that similes are not just used as descriptive objects, but rather smaller and larger vignettes that are constructed and employed by an author to keep their narratives going and captivating to the target readers and listeners. The author of Iliad demonstrates effective understanding and use of similes in literature. His use of simile is an important structure in his work; he has the ability to compare scenes creatively making it easier and captivating to read and enjoy. Overall, his use of simile is effective in adding flavors to the narrative and helps the readers and listeners to picture more clearly the events of the times. Works Cited Finkelberg, Margalit. The Homer Encyclopedia, UK: Oxford, 2010. Print Mueller, Martin. The Iliad. 2nd Ed. UK: A&C Black, 2013. Print Rabel, J. Robert. Plot and Point of View in the Iliad. UK: Michigan, 2007. Print. Read More