Formulaic Language

Find three examples of formulaic language (include them here) and explain how you think these might have been helpful when singing or speaking the Odyssey in the oral tradition.




I chose to discuss some of the formulaic language used in the Odyssey. One example is “The Owl-Eyed Goddess.” This refers to Athena, and it can be found throughout the book. Using this language gives the listener or reader a sense of the personality of the character. 

On Page 80, Book 6, the phrase “Godlike Odysseus” is used. It gives an idea of Odysseus’s power, popularity, and other qualities which resemble a God, even though he is not one. 
This last example is “Quicksilver Hermes.” Quicksilver generally refers something that moves rapidly. It’s a very interesting description of a character. 
Overall I think that this language is very important to give the reader a deeper understanding of the characters and the book.