Aspects of literary style: choice of words

Word Choices in the Iliad

Diction

Homer’s selective use of words in the Iliad is instrumental in personifying characters, setting the atmosphere and steering the plot.
Specific words used repetitively to describe characters, such as “swift-footed” for Achilles, form Homeric epithets, which serve as mnemonic aids and embellish a character’s qualities.
Homer favours archaic and formal words to lend authenticity to his epic and to create a solemn, heroic tone.

Figurative Language

Homer frequently employs metaphors and similes to vividly illustrate battle scenes and characters, thereby enhancing the text’s imagery.
Examples include the simile comparing soldiers to “flies swarming around the shepherd’s pen” to illustrate vast numbers, and metaphorically describing Hector as a “glittering star” to signify his heroic stature.
The use of personification helps animate inanimate concepts (like Fate) or objects (like weapons) to evoke emotional responses from the reader.

Syntax

Homer often manipulates word order for emphasis, with significant words being placed at the beginning or end of a sentence.
The use of parataxis, a style where simple sentences are strung together without use of conjunctions, deepens the dramatic tension.

Tone

The tone of the Iliad varies greatly, reflecting the content of the narrative. Scenes of battle involve a harsh, critical tone, while moments of intimacy or reflection feature a more tender, evocative tone.
Homer frequently uses irony, most notably situational irony, where events turn out contrary to what was expected, in order to underscore the tragic fate of the heroes.

Register

The register in the Iliad is predominantly formal and elevated, in tune with its epic form and subject matter.
However, in dialogues, especially between gods, Homer occasionally introduces colloquial language and humour, a testament to his versatile style.