Download The Odyssey Literary Terms Name________________ 1. Allusion 2

The Odyssey Literary Terms
Name________________
1. Allusion
2. Dramatic Irony (see Irony)
3. Epic—a long narrative poem that traces the adventures of an epic hero.
4. Epic hero—a legendary figure of almost superhuman qualities whose adventures form the core
of the epic poem. An epic hero embodies the goals and virtues of an entire nation or culture.
5. Epithet--adjective or descriptive phrase that is regularly used to characterize a person, place or
thing
6. Extended metaphor (see Metaphor)
7. Flashback
8. Foreshadowing
9. Hero—a character who exhibits extraordinary powers of strength, courage or intelligence.
10. Homeric Simile—An extended comparison, also called an epic simile, gets its name from
Homer, the Greek poet.
11. Imagery
12. Legend—a widely told story about the past, one that may or may not have a foundation in fact.
13. Metaphor
14. Myth
15. Oral tradition
16. Personification
17. Poetic Justice—When a character gets what he/she deserves. When the most fitting reward or
punishment is doled out to a character.
18. Symbolism