History

Homers epic novel The Odyssey has been acclaimed as one among the most significant works of Greek literature. In this novel, Homer has used the literary device of similes quite effectively. Simile is a figure of speech that provides an extended comparison between two things.

On analyzing this story a reader can go through the comparison among the Odysseus, Penelope and wandering sailors and mainland. This work illustrates the scene when Odysseus returns to his native country, Ithaca, after a long voyage. His wife Penelope receives him with great enthusiasm. Here a reader can find that the author brilliantly demonstrated the inner conflicts of a loving wife, who has suffered on the disastrous news about her husband. Major characters are Odysseus and Penelope, his wife, and Poseidon, the sea God who tries to prevent Odysseuss return to Ithaca.

Homer describes the struggling wife Penelope as the mainland which welcomed men after ship wrecking. Penelopes inner conflicts, her most welcome nature, exceeding passion towards her husband and her feelings of separation are revealed through similes. The husband is compared to the men who reached in the land after shipwrecking. They keep strong wish and passion to reach the shore and treat the land as a place that provides comfort and peace. The awaiting wife and thirsty husband are compared to suffering men and mainland respectively.

Penelopes old- age is revealed through the phrase white arms. The excellent use of simile helps the reader to understand the inner conflicts of the charactors. George E. Dimock asserts By this time both have become well acquainted with the good side of pain, Penelope perhaps even more than Odysseus. The Unity of the Odyssey by George E. Dimock (1990, p.320). The suffering men are the victims of Poseidons aggression against Odysseus. To conclude, through the use of simile, the author has easily conveyed his ideas to the audience.