Parataxis Of Homer :: essays research papers

Throughout the epic poem The Odyssey, Homer employs a technique called parataxis. This technique is used frequently to identify characters in the book or explaining an event. The poem not only covers the story of Odyssey. The poem not only covers the story ofOdysseus, but also touches upon other characters as well. By using parataxis, Homer dischargebriefly tell and describe characters and events. Often, characters are identified by theirrelationships to others, a great deed they have accomplished, to hardships they have comeacross. In describing Odysseus in restrain V, lines 97 to 115 of which lines 105 to 110 areparatactical, Hermes says you have with you the man who is wretched beyond all theother men of all those who fought around the metropolis of Priam for nine years, and in the tenththey sacked the city and set sail for home, but on the voyage home they offended Athene,who let loose an mephistophelean tempest and tall waves against them. Then all the rest of hisexcellent c ompanions perished, but the wind and the current carried him here and herethey drove him. The original conversation amidst Hermes and Kalypso had little to dowith Odysseuss journey. Hermes in lines 97 to 115 tells Kalypso that Odysseuss fate lienot on the island, but back home in Ithaka. The parataxis interrupts the line ofconversation to inform the reason why Odysseus arrives here. It gives a glimpse the spanof Odysseuss journey and the fate of his companions before the story is told. In thisinstance, Hermes identifies Odysseus with the obstacles he has overcome. At times, a parataxis of a certain character in one part of the poem help explainmatters later on. In book XI, lines 281 to 297, Odysseus tells of Chloris, a beautifulmaiden. Of those lines, lines 287 to 290 are paratactical, Also she bore that marvelamong mortals, majestic Pero, whom all the heroes round about courted, but Neleuswould not give her to any, unless he could drive out the broad-faced horn-curved cattlesof s trong Iphikles out of Phylake. It talks of Chloriss daughter, Pero and the task thatall suitors must accomplish before he can have her hand. Later on in book XV, anothercharacter is introduced. He is the son of the man who won Pero. Without mentioningPero or the task of the suitors in the earlier book, much more accounting would beneeded to identify other characters. This parataxis links various character and theirstories.