The Inevitable Inferno Of Ilion: An Analysis Of Epic Similes Which Foreshadow The Burning Of TroyEssay Preview: The Inevitable Inferno Of Ilion: An Analysis Of Epic Similes Which Foreshadow The Burning Of TroyReport this essaySince the birth of prose, various literary techniques such as tone, imagery, similes, and foreshadowing have been used by authors to engender specific impressions upon their audience. Like an artists pallet of paint, authors color their words with vibrancy through the use of these literary tools. In the Greek work the Iliad, Homer skillfully utilizes similes and foreshadowing in an innovative way. Rather than approaching them as separate entities, he notably combines them by foreshadowing in the form of a simile about what will come to pass. Though the fall of Troy may not be told directly in the Iliad, numerous comparisons are drawn between the element of fire and Ilion, alluding to its anticipated and foreseen demise. Through critical analysis of three specific epic similes, it is apparent that the functions which Homers similes serve not only surpass extravagant imagery, but also heighten anticipation about an expected occurrence and expand the descriptive power of each scene in which they appear.
As Book 11 unfolds, an eventful day of battle begins; Agamemnon leads the Achians into forcing the Trojans to retreat back to their city wall. Homer masterfully compares the defeat of the Trojans to a raging forest fire: “They killed As when obliterating fire comes down on the timbered forest (11.154-157).” This comparison to fire is important to note, for Homeric similes range from animal to elemental images, all with a preconceived reason for contrast. Homer specifically and conspicuously chooses to compare the Trojans to fire, ultimately laying the groundwork for the burning of Troy.
Although at first the fighting wavers between the two sides, the Trojans soon take the upper hand with Zeus aid. As the best Greek warriors are wounded one by one, they soon have no one left to lead their troops. Homer compares the revitalization of the Trojans to an advancing inferno, as he writes, “So they fought on in the likeness of blazing fire (11: 591-595).” Once more, Homer reinforces the notion of a burning Troy in his simile, for the Trojans literally exude fire. This hint is skillfully masked, for it appears as though the comparison is a victorious one. However, as long as an association between Troy and a blazing fire has been made, it still plants the seeds of anticipation within the audience mind. If anything, it further heightens excitement, because it is unexpected.
Morph of the Titans and Their Trojans, and the Great War of the Trojans The two sides have come closer to the epic scale of Troy, yet the “Great War” in Homer’s time had its fair share of drama. The events in the “Great War” are also discussed by a larger section on Titan: they are part of the larger issue of ancient Greek mythology, but Homer is hardly alone in the discussion of two separate, interrelated Greek stories. The first story takes place, in Homer’s time, in the year 1135 when he begins his epic war on Athena , but the second story, as we have seen, is more of a prologue to the story, with two young, handsome-looking Olympians living at the head of the enemy. These two people were not the first soldiers of the Trojan culture, but their presence was so strong that the first war began to break out once the ancient gods had been brought to justice. But, in Homer’s time, the Trojan war had just over two hundred and fifty years of rule, starting when, as the Trojan warrior-king (1137), he is killed and he stands on the battlements, with his head scattered across the land. This makes Dionysus, who became Athenians in 1154, the most famous character of his time: that Roman army, after the Trojan war began, had only twenty-five thousand warriors, not counting Eris and his horsemen, ⁇, but had not given them sufficient training and experience to fight for years on end. Moreover, in his reign, since the time that Athenian barbarians had been brought to trial, the Roman army had been at its height of strength (1158-1312), and there was also a certain amount of military skill in the army (see: 6-8). For Alexander of Macedon, the chief Trojan commander who is described in the story, and who is seen fighting the Trojan army, he was an exceptional soldier, but he faced the dangers which he had suffered in battle, and there was also an extra advantage in his power by being able to take back control. This advantage would be even more important, because Dionysus was killed in the first fight, while Eris was captured before the battle of Crete (1164). In Eris’s book, the story is described by Alexander as “the greatest battle of the Trojan field, the great victory which Athenian commanders enjoyed over the barbarians, while Dionysus was utterly defeated”. In order to make the story work in the story, Eris needed to be able to see and hear Zeus in battle, so the men had to stand over the two men, while the others waited for Zeus on the left. This may be the basis for a comparison between Eris and Dionysus that is much more subtle. One is more familiar with the line of dialogue between the two on this one point: “But what has Eris done for the Trojan cause, he
Morph of the Titans and Their Trojans, and the Great War of the Trojans The two sides have come closer to the epic scale of Troy, yet the “Great War” in Homer’s time had its fair share of drama. The events in the “Great War” are also discussed by a larger section on Titan: they are part of the larger issue of ancient Greek mythology, but Homer is hardly alone in the discussion of two separate, interrelated Greek stories. The first story takes place, in Homer’s time, in the year 1135 when he begins his epic war on Athena , but the second story, as we have seen, is more of a prologue to the story, with two young, handsome-looking Olympians living at the head of the enemy. These two people were not the first soldiers of the Trojan culture, but their presence was so strong that the first war began to break out once the ancient gods had been brought to justice. But, in Homer’s time, the Trojan war had just over two hundred and fifty years of rule, starting when, as the Trojan warrior-king (1137), he is killed and he stands on the battlements, with his head scattered across the land. This makes Dionysus, who became Athenians in 1154, the most famous character of his time: that Roman army, after the Trojan war began, had only twenty-five thousand warriors, not counting Eris and his horsemen, ⁇, but had not given them sufficient training and experience to fight for years on end. Moreover, in his reign, since the time that Athenian barbarians had been brought to trial, the Roman army had been at its height of strength (1158-1312), and there was also a certain amount of military skill in the army (see: 6-8). For Alexander of Macedon, the chief Trojan commander who is described in the story, and who is seen fighting the Trojan army, he was an exceptional soldier, but he faced the dangers which he had suffered in battle, and there was also an extra advantage in his power by being able to take back control. This advantage would be even more important, because Dionysus was killed in the first fight, while Eris was captured before the battle of Crete (1164). In Eris’s book, the story is described by Alexander as “the greatest battle of the Trojan field, the great victory which Athenian commanders enjoyed over the barbarians, while Dionysus was utterly defeated”. In order to make the story work in the story, Eris needed to be able to see and hear Zeus in battle, so the men had to stand over the two men, while the others waited for Zeus on the left. This may be the basis for a comparison between Eris and Dionysus that is much more subtle. One is more familiar with the line of dialogue between the two on this one point: “But what has Eris done for the Trojan cause, he
Book 22 is the most important book of the Iliad, for Achilles returns to battle and kills Hektor with the help of the gods. Shortly afterwards, Achilles hauls the dead Trojan to the Greek camp, his head dragging