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Pathos
Definition of Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Book 4
Explanation and Analysis—Personified Deities:
In the Ancient Greek world, people devoted much of their worship to Olympians like Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Athena, and Apollo. However, Greek mythology also encompasses a number of non-Olympian deities, some of which are personifications of life's many conditions—and banes. At several points in the Iliad, Homer mentions a number of these personified deities. Because immortals operate like human characters, Homer is able to personify these abstract emotions and conditions when he describes them. Through this, he sheds light on the human condition.
One of these personified deities is Strife, also known as Eris. When Homer introduces Strife in Book 4, he refers to her as the sister and comrade-in-arms of Ares, the god of war:
Strife, only a slight thing when she first rears her head
but her head soon hits the sky as she strides across the earth.
Now Strife hurled down the leveler Hate amidst both sides,
wading into the onslaught, flooding men with pain.
Related Themes:
Book 9
Explanation and Analysis—Personified Deities:
In the Ancient Greek world, people devoted much of their worship to Olympians like Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Athena, and Apollo. However, Greek mythology also encompasses a number of non-Olympian deities, some of which are personifications of life's many conditions—and banes. At several points in the Iliad, Homer mentions a number of these personified deities. Because immortals operate like human characters, Homer is able to personify these abstract emotions and conditions when he describes them. Through this, he sheds light on the human condition.
One of these personified deities is Strife, also known as Eris. When Homer introduces Strife in Book 4, he refers to her as the sister and comrade-in-arms of Ares, the god of war:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Strife, only a slight thing when she first rears her head
but her head soon hits the sky as she strides across the earth.
Now Strife hurled down the leveler Hate amidst both sides,
wading into the onslaught, flooding men with pain.
Related Themes:
