Aspects of literary style: word order

Word Order

Homeric Greek does not adhere to the strict subject-verb-object order often seen in modern languages. Instead, it possesses a high degree of flexibility in word order, structured around the needs of poetic metre and emphasis.
Predicates often come before the subject. Yet, Homeric Greek also exhibits tendencies towards post-predicative word order where the predicate is the last element in the sentence.
Unlike Classical Greek, Homeric Greek frequently employs post-positive particles. This refers to conjunctions and other linking words that come after the word they logically follow.

A distinct feature of Homeric verse is enjambment, where a sentence or clause continues past the end of a verse line and into the next. This technique was used to enhance pace and narrative flow.
Enjambment also contributed to metre and rhythm, keeping the dactylic hexameter of Homeric poetry consistent across lines.

Tmesis is a linguistic feature employed predominantly in Homeric epic, which involves splitting a compound word into two parts. This technique was used strategically for metrical convenience and added emphasis.
Tmesis can affect word order, as the split halves of a compound could be distributed across a line of verse, leading to a considerable deviation from the usual syntax.

The word order, particularly in Homeric Greek, can be manipulated to place emphasis on certain words or phrases. A word moved from its expected position gains prominence and signals its importance in the narrative.
Some common positions for emphasis include the beginning of a verse line, and immediately before or after a central pause. This reflects the importance of performance and delivery in the oral tradition of Homeric epics.