What is a Homeric Simile?

The Homeric simile represents a unique kind of comparison that is deployed throughout epic poetry. These lengthy comparisons serve as a kind of detour from the main narrative of the poem, as the poet takes the time to describe a particular object or event in great detail. The simile is 'Homeric' because it originated in the works of Homer, particularly in the Iliad and the Odyssey, but its use has since extended to other epic poems.

Homeric similes are extended similes, sometimes comprising as many as a hundred lines, and they fulfill several purposes. At a structural level, they allow the poet to slow down the pace of the poem and build tension, as listeners or readers wait for the main narrative thread to resume. At a thematic level, they create associations between different parts of the poem, revealing connections and patterns that deepen our understanding of the characters and events. Finally, in terms of language, Homeric similes involve complex metaphors, comparisons that are often surprising and spatially or culturally distant from their subjects, creating an effect of richness and depth.