Question

Read the following passage and answer the question. “But wait, I can save you, free you from the great danger. Look, here is a potent drug. Take it to Circe's halls – its power alone will shield you from the fatal day. Let me tell you of all the witch's subtle craft... She'll mix you a potion, lace the brew with drugs but she'll be powerless to bewitch you, even so – this magic herb I give will fight her spells.” This is an example of which epic convention? lengthy speech digression epic simile divine intervention

Answer 1

These lines from the Odyssey are spoken by Hermes. Hermes was the son of Zeus and functioned as the messenger of the gods. He was fast and intelligent.

Odysseus encounters Hermes as he is going to rescue his men from Circe, the witch who has cast a spell upon his men. Hermes offers him a "potent drug" which will fight the brew Circe gives him.

Of the epic conventions provided, this speech is not a lengthy one. As far as epic speeches go, this one is fairly short.

Nor is Hermes making a digression. A digression is when a speaker or writer goes off-topic and discusses things other than the subject at hand. Hermes never goes off topic and instead only discusses Circe and the potion he is giving to Odysseus.

An epic simile is a comparison made over several lines; to put it another way, it is a long and detailed comparison (instead of a simile that lasts just one or two words). No comparison is being made here, so epic simile would not work.

Hermes is, however, a god. He appears out of nowhere to offer Odysseus a potion that will save him when nothing else would Had Hermes not appeared with this "potent drug" to protect him from Circe's brew, Odysseus would have been powerless against her. As such, Hermes' aid (and this speech) is an example of divine intervention.

Answer 2

Hermes is, however, a god. He appears out of nowhere to offer Odysseus a potion that will save him when nothing else would Had Hermes not appeared with this "potent drug" to protect him from Circe's brew, Odysseus would have been powerless against her. As such, Hermes' aid (and this speech) is an example of divine intervention.