Blog Post #11

Elliott Conely

Kim Harrison
ELA
11/20/2016

Formulaic Language in the Odyssey 

Formulaic language is prevalent in the Odyssey, by Homer. Some often used examples of Formulaic language include, "Olympian Zeus", "gold-spindled Artemis", and "Grey-eyed Athena".  These would have been helpful in passing down the oral tradition of the  Odyssey because  Formulaic language makes it easier to remember the many characters of the Odyssey.  Because, they are identified by their major attributes or deeds.  Because the odyssey was not originally written down but transmitted orally.  Formulaic language made it easier for people to remember the story.  Another example of a literary technique that allowed the story to be passed down orally are type scenes.  The repetitive nature of type scenes allows them to be easily remembered and thus more easily told orraly. The Odyssey is a very long text and learn and memorize it orally would be very difficult.  However, Formulaic language made it easier to remember its complex story and multitude of characters.