*Matthew Owens' Author Evidence Analysis*

Matthew Owens
Mr. Adam Petersen
Language in the Odyssey
10/20/13

Language in the Odyssey

Primary evidence ~
Primary Source Quotes (Large):
Can be found on 2pp. 5pp. 8pp. 10pp. 13pp on larger scale.
Example:
Language in the Odyssey Page #2

Thus she spoke, for she was ashamed to name her youthful marriage to her
dear father. And he understood everything and replied:
“I do not begrudge you mules, child nor anything else.
Go! The slaves will prepare for you a wagon
lofty and well-wheeled, fitted with a wagon cover.” (Odyssey 6.66-70)

These types of quotes are used to cite evidence of the authors thesis on a larger scale. In the case of this paper, Mr. Richardson is using it to back up his thesis of how complex the language is in the Odyssey and how it's all a riddle waiting to be unraveled by the reader.

Primary Source Quotes (Small):
Can be found throughout the paper, as examples that are either to small, or do not need to be cited as large quotes. They can also be used to cite evidence, directions to prove information, or thoughts not belonging to you. Mr. Richardson uses these style quotes to back up his evidence on the language in the Odyssey.

Example:
Language in the Odyssey Page #7

Odysseus asks for a turn at the bow contest in a way that gives a clear
signal of his murderous intention to Telemachus and the herdsmen but
goes right by the suitors and Penelope (22.275-84).

Secondary Source Quotes:
These types of quotes are often taken from other published works besides the main book being discussed, and proved the reader with examples outside the discussed work to strengthen examples and key points.

Example (only one in paper):

“Why is it so necessary for you to go to the theatre tonight, if Miss Rooth
doesn't want you to?”
“My dear child, she does. But that has nothing to do with it.”
“Oh, because she meant just the contrary.”
“Is she so false then-is she so vulgar?”
“She speaks a special language; practically it isn't false, because it renders her
thought, and those who know her understand it.” (James 1948, 437)

Mr. Richardson uses this quote to show an example of language that get directly to the point, something that is easy for the reader to understand, unlike dialog in the Odyssey which makes the reader think about the true meaning.

Matthew Owens
Mr. Adam Petersen
AP English and Composition
10/21/13

Language in the Odyssey: Tone and Audience

This article written by Scott Richardson, assesses the common theme of language in the Odyssey (where would a book be without words LOL) and picks apart the complexity of Homer's passages. He states that communication [in the Odyssey] takes places beneath the surface of words (Richardson 2), and supports a worldview of the Odyssey as a whole, one characterized by distrust and uncertainty (Richardson 3). Richardson then goes on to great scenes for his audience that help them better understand what he means. The audience intended to read such a work as this, might be scholars or those who want to gain a better knowledge of the Odyssey as a whole, and dive deep into its pages.

Matthew B. Owens
Mr. Adam Petersen
AP Literature and Composition
10/28/13


Language in the Odyssey is a key element in the stories progression, but it also serves to hide it's contents within the pages. Homer uses strategic language to make his readers think about the true meaning of the conversation, and grants those who can decipher it with great knowledge of the true story. This indirect interchange is a paradigm of the distinctive mode of conversation in the Odyssey (Richardson 3).
Scott Richardson's main idea within his paper "Language in the Odyssey" is as follows: the story is spoken in riddles, and words hidden beneath what is obvious create the story that is actually there. He states that all characters in the odyssey speak in their own language, that being their words hidden between the lines, and understand each other perfectly when speaking in this way.

Richardson brings up a few main points using text from the Odyssey, including passages and sections of the plot line that back up his thesis. A great majority of conversations in the Odyssey. . . feature one or more of these techniques: indirect address, implication, hidden or coded meaning, lying, feigned ignorance, injection to secrecy, concealment of facts, expressions of disbelief, evasion, disguised sentiments, testing, indirect steering or goading, presentation of false reasons, or performances in character (Richardson 4). All these examples are used and cited within his paper and can be seen throughout the story line in many of the characters.