Final answer:
Homer's epic similes serve to vividly illustrate and magnify the actions of characters in his works like the Iliad and the Odyssey, particularly showcasing ancient Greek values like arete.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of the epic simile in Homer's works is crucial for painting a vivid picture of ancient Greek epics like the Iliad and the Odyssey. Homer's epics make use of extended comparisons, often to the natural world, to magnify the actions or attributes of characters and events. For example, the comparison of the Cyclops moving the stone to block his cave could be likened to the ease with which a shepherd moves his flock in and out of a pasture, thereby emphasizing the sheer strength and routine of the Cyclops' actions.
Such detailed similes help the reader not only to visualize the grandeur and scale of the events being described but also to understand the narrative in the context of ancient Greek values such as arete, which encapsulates moral virtue and excellence. Epic similes are one of the many narrative devices that contribute to the storytelling technique unique to epic poetry, adding layers of meaning and aiding in character development within the vast scope of Homer's epics.