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Homeric comparison

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An extended, vivid simile typical of Homeric epics, often spanning several lines and drawing from natural imagery.

Detailed Definition
Homeric comparison, or epic simile, is an extended, elaborate analogy in epic poetry that draws parallels between heroic action and natural or domestic scenes to amplify grandeur and emotional depth; Homer’s likening of warriors to “leaves falling in autumn” exemplifies this technique’s power to humanize and magnify.
Example
Example in poetry:
Homer: “Achilles ran as fast as the wind”; Virgil: “Like a lion among cattle, he raged”; Milton: “His spear— / To equal which the tallest pine hewn on Norwegian hills...”; Shakespeare: “My love is as a fever, longing still”
Additional Notes
Homeric comparison (or epic simile) is an extended, vivid analogy comparing heroic action to natural or domestic scenes—enhances grandeur and relatability; foundational in epic tradition from Homer to Milton.
Also Known As
Epic simile Homeric simile extended comparison heroic analogy Extended simile
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