Here are some common literary devices found in *The Odyssey*:
Epic Conventions:
* In Medias Res: The story begins in the middle of the action, with Odysseus already stranded on Calypso's island.
* Invocation: The poem begins with an invocation to the Muse, asking for inspiration.
* Epic Simile: Extended comparisons using "like" or "as," often comparing heroic deeds to natural phenomena.
* Epithets: Descriptive phrases used to characterize characters (e.g., "Odysseus, the master mariner," "Athena, the goddess of wisdom").
* Divine Intervention: Gods and goddesses frequently intervene in the story, influencing events and shaping characters' destinies.
* Epic Catalogue: Lists of objects, people, or places, often used to create a sense of grandeur and scale.
Other Devices:
* Foreshadowing: Hints and clues that foreshadow future events.
* Irony: A contrast between what is said or expected and what actually happens (e.g., Odysseus's cleverness often leads to unforeseen consequences).
* Symbolism: Objects, characters, and events often carry symbolic meaning (e.g., the sea symbolizes both danger and freedom).
* Metaphor: A comparison that doesn't use "like" or "as" (e.g., Odysseus is described as a "lion" when he confronts the suitors).
* Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts (e.g., the sea is described as "roaring" and "angry").
Specific Examples from *The Odyssey*:
* In Medias Res: The poem opens with Odysseus stranded on Calypso's island, years after the Trojan War.
* Epic Simile: "He dived like a cormorant plunging for prey."
* Epithets: "Odysseus, the master mariner," "Penelope, the faithful wife."
* Divine Intervention: Athena aids Odysseus throughout his journey, guiding him and protecting him from danger.
* Foreshadowing: The Cyclops's prophecy that Odysseus will lose all his companions foreshadows the tragic loss of Odysseus's crew.
* Irony: Odysseus's cunning trickery, while often successful, also brings unforeseen consequences, like angering the Cyclops.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all the literary devices used in *The Odyssey*, but it provides a good starting point for understanding the poem's rich and complex literary structure.