Exploring Figures of Speech in The Odyssey, Part III

Figure of Speech Analysis in The Odyssey, Part III

The Odyssey, written by Homer, is an epic poem that showcases various figures of speech to enhance its storytelling. In Part III of The Odyssey, there is an interesting example of a figure of speech that we will analyze in this post.

Which figure of speech is exemplified by lines 149–151 of the excerpt from The Odyssey, Part III?

Then slid his right hand down the cord and plucked it,
so the taut gut vibrating hummed and sang a swallow’s note. (1 point)

Options:

• simile
• metaphor
• personification

Final answer:

The figure of speech in the provided lines from The Odyssey, Part III, is personification, as the bow is attributed with the human-like ability to hum and sing.

Explanation:

The figure of speech exemplified by lines 149–151 of the excerpt from The Odyssey, Part III, where it says 'Then slid his right hand down the cord and plucked it, / so the taut gut vibrating hummed and sang a swallow’s note,' is personification. Personification is a figure of speech where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human attributes or qualities. In these lines, the taut gut vibrating and producing a sound is described as if it were a swallow singing, which imbues the bow with life-like characteristics and emotions.