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Definition of Imagery
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines from Robert Frost's poem "After Apple-Picking" contain imagery that engages... read full definition
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines from Robert Frost's poem "After... read full definition
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines... read full definition
Imagery
Explanation and Analysis—Achilles's Shield:
Homer's detailed description of the shield that Hephaestus forges for Achilles in Book 18 is one of the most famous examples of ekphrasis in the Western literary tradition. Ekphrasis is a kind of imagery, in which a work of art is verbally described in detail. In his ekphrastic presentation of the shield, Homer both goes in detail about how Hephaestus makes it and how it looks in its complete form.
Book 16
Explanation and Analysis—Patroclus and the Sea:
In Book 16, during Patroclus's rampage, Homer details many of his clashes and kills. In one of these scenes, he uses imagery and a simile to liken Patroclus to a fisherman. In another, he uses another sea-related metaphor to describe the movements of one of Patroclus's victims.
Towards the middle of the book, Homer describes Patroclus pulling the Trojan warrior Thestor out of his chariot as though he were pulling a fish out of the sea:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Patroclus rising beside him stabbed his right jawbone,
ramming the spearhead square between his teeth so hard
he hooked him by that spearhead over the chariot-rail,
hoisted, dragged the Trojan out as an angler perched
on a jutting rock ledge drags some fish from the sea,
some noble catch, with line and glittering bronze hook.
So with the spear Patroclus gaffed him off his car,
his mouth gaping round the glittering point
and flipped him down facefirst,
dead as he fell, his life breath blown away.
Related Themes:
