Aspects of literary style: choice of words

Choice of Words

Acknowledging that Herodotus utilises words with double meanings to evoke a complex understanding of the events or characters described.
Noticing the use of metaphors and similes to enrich the description of situations, characters, or events, by creating visual images or drawing parallels.
Observing how the choice of emotive language is often deeply revealing of characters’ feelings and motivations, as well as influencing the emotional response and engagement of the reader.

Noting the use of rhetoric in speeches, particularly in arguments or persuasions, as a means of highlighting the different perspectives in conflicts.
Appreciating that these rhetorical devices often serve to give a voice to various historical figures, subsequently offering a diverse range of viewpoints and enhancing readers’ understanding of the complex social dynamics.
Observing how rhetorical figures such as hyberbole (exaggeration for effect), prolepsis (speaking of future events as if they had already happened), and anaphora (repetition of a word or phrase at the start of successive clauses) improve the narrative’s eloquence and impact.

Recognising how the choice of descriptive words or phrases can shed light on character traits, prevailing moods, or settings.
Seeing how the use of epithets — recurring descriptive words or phrases used for characters—can reinforce characters’ dominant traits and produce a consistent character image throughout the Tales.
Comprehending that, through his careful choice of words, Herodotus extends the realism and credibility of his characters, allowing readers to understand their motivations and personalities on a deeper level.

Paying attention to instances where specific vocabulary is used to denote cultural practices, terms or ideas which are unique to the Greeks or Persians, thereby enhancing readers’ learning of the historical and cultural context.
Noticing the employment of technical or specialised vocabulary when speaking about religious rituals, military terminology, or political institutions, reflecting the sophisticated nature of these civilisations.
Understanding how these words, while sometimes difficult to understand, provide a distinct sense of authenticity and immersion in the Greek and Persian world.