This poem was originally passed down orally. This of course meant that there was variation in each storyteller's version, but I'd be willing to bet that there were some phrases that made an appearance in most "editions", if you will--especially alliterative phrases, including the examples below:
"cunning counsel" (line 56)
"face and figure" (line 58)
"mighty multitude" (line 90)
"wide-watered" (line 91)
"down she darted" (lines 166-67)
"wont to wrangle" (line 221)
"shrill, squeaky" (line 221)
"bawling and brawling" (line 224)
In a study you can find here, researchers conducted an experiment in which various poems and works of prose were read to participants. Some of the poems were peppered with alliteration and some had no alliteration at all. Later, the participants were asked to recall the thematic elements as well as the content of the poems they had heard. Overwhelmingly, the data indicated that literature with alliterative phrases were much more memorable to the participants.
Now, I'm not saying that Homer had a side interest in human psychology. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he too knew that alliteration made many messages more memorable. These alliterative phrases would definitely make memorizing the epic easier, as well as provide some continuity even as the story changed over time.
On another note, the artful rhetoric portrayed in Ulysses's argument is worth noting. Ulysses is going around the ship, trying to convince the men to stay and try and take Troy.
No, not that Troy. Getcha head in the game!
There's a stark contrast between how Ulysses speaks to the kings vs. the common man. When speaking to the kings and chieftains, Ulysses tries to appeal to their better judgement, convince them that the opportunity to leave is just a test from Agamemnom, and show them that they need to stay and fight in order to avoid Agamemnom's displeasure. However, when speaking to any common soldier, Ulysses smacks them with his staff and talks down to them, trying to put them in their place. Ulysses is very much aware of his audience, and adjusts his tone and message accordingly.
I also think that the the poet of the Iliad made great use of alliteration and metaphors. I am a writer myself, and have always been told that a great piece of writing becomes a great piece of writing through the figures of speech, alliterations, and ways that the writer.author appeals to the audience through logos and ethos.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to be over-critical, but do you think that alliteration was there when Homer wrote it in Greek? I do like the alliteration, but I think credit should be given to the translators, rather than the original author.
ReplyDeleteanother difference that I noticed when he is talking to his soldiers vs the king is that he tries (and succeeds) to convince them using less logic and more emotional appeal. he basically says don't be a coward to the soldiers.
ReplyDeleteSpencer, that's a really good point. Because I like alliteration, I like to think that it was used in the original Greek version, however, it most likely appeared in different phrases.
ReplyDelete