Epic Simile

[Christina Beharry]

“The heavy seas thrust him with the current this way and that. Like
the North Wind at harvest-time tossing about the fields a ball of
thistles that have stuck together, the gusts drove his craft hither
and thither over the sea. Now the South Wind would toss it to the
North to play with, and now the East would leave it for the West to
chase.” –Book 5, pg 71, lines 327-330.

This simile describes Odysseus’ travel over the sea, and the
difficulties he faced. It gives the reader a vivid description of
Odysseus being tossed about by the water while on his raft, comparing
his ordeal to the winds tossing around a ball of thistles. This simile
shows the reader how effortless it was for the water to throw the
mighty hero Odysseus. There is also personification in this simile, as
the Winds are “playing” with the thistles, something that usually only
living things can do. This simile subtly explains to the reader that
Odysseus is no longer the hero he once was.