Oral Commentary on The Odyssey Essay - 802 Words

This passage is told as a flashback, as Odysseus sits in the palace of the Phaeacians telling the story of his wanderings. Odysseus reluctantly tells his story after King Alcinou notices his weeping during a minstrel, which was about the fall of Troy. So in answer to the King, Odysseus reveals his identity, background and adventures: from Troy, the winds sweep him and his men to Ismarus, city of the Cicones. The men plunder the land and, carried away by greed, refuses to leave until the Cicones turn on them and attack. Odysseus and his crew finally escape, having lost six men per ship. The point of view changes from third person to first person as Odysseus narrates Books 9–12. These books thus give background not only to Odysseus’s†¦show more content†¦Homer also uses cacophony to describe this losing fight: ...my doomed companions and me. They fought a pitched battle by the swift ships and exchanged volleys of bronzed spears (9.53-54). By combining plosive consonants (doomed, pitched battle, etc.), fricatives (fought, volleys) and sibilants (swift ships, spears), Homer successfully expresses the Cicones as stronger, better and well-trained fighters. Another example of cacophony is when the Achaeans continue to battle with the pitiless sea : Our ships pitched and plunged in the wind, and the force of the gusts tore their sails to shreds and tatters (9.71-72). The heavy concentration of plosive consonants and sibilants, effectively reflect the never-ending struggles of the journey home. Furthermore, repetition of the consonant p, as in pitched and plunged, creates an unpleasant sound which again emphasizes on the violent waters and winds. The progression of the battle is shown in the different positions of the sun. A rising sun symbolizes life and hope, as the early morning was the only time Odysseus and his men held their grounds in the battle. However, as the sun begins to drop, the slightest hope is gone, and the Cicones gains the upper hand and end their revenge. Another symbol found in this passage is the white sail being hauled up after Odysseus has rested for 2 days (9. 77). Not only does the colour white represent peace after the battle has ended. But it also symbolizes a start of a new adventureShow MoreRelatedThe Penelopiad Analysis958 Words   |  4 Pagesnovel ‘The Odyssey’ . 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