Homer's epic is a brilliant masterpiece with rich significance. It is not only a perfect literary work, but also an important historical document for studying ancient clan society.
It was officially written in the 6th century BC. Includes two epics, one is Iliad (translated as Ilion) and the other is Odessa (translated as Odyssey). The content of the epic originated from a 10 year war between achaean in southern Greece and Trojans in northern Asia Minor at the end of 12 BC. After the war, many legends circulated among the people. Legend praises the heroic deeds that emerged in the war in the form of short songs, which are intertwined with ancient Greek mythology. They are passed down from generation to generation by folk singers. Every festival, they sing in the family residence. From the 9th century BC to the 8th century BC, Homer, a blind poet (from the 9th century BC to the 8th century BC), based on short songs, processed it into a ballad book, which was officially written in the 6th century BC. From the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century BC, scholars in Alexandria edited and researched it completely, which is the Homer epic we see today. Homer's epic is the earliest and most important work in European literature, which provides rich materials and inspiration for later generations and contributes to the birth of countless masterpieces.
Engels said: "Homer's epic and all myths-this is the main legacy of the Greeks from barbarism to civilization." Therefore, Homer's epic, a transitional work, contains savage things such as killing, cruelty, endless war, treating women as private property, etc., which should be understood from a special historical background, otherwise it will not be understood.
The theme of Homer's epic is to depict the hero's decisiveness, courage and strength, and to show the hero's wisdom. At the beginning of the Iliad, the poet said that "Achilles' anger is my theme", and the epic takes this as the main line to organize and sort out materials, focusing on praising the noble qualities of clan heroes. More than two-thirds of the poem is about Achilles' refusal to participate in the war, which leaves enough room for the images of other heroes. No matter diomedes and Aeneas in the Greek army or hector in the Trojan army, their bravery and good fighting skills are reflected in this part, and this writing laid the foundation for finally highlighting Achilles' unparalleled strength. Once Achilles entered the war, the situation immediately reversed, and hector was killed. Naturally, he showed the highest bravery.
Odysseus highlighted the wisdom of Odysseus, a Greek impression, and showed the struggle between the ancient Greeks and nature through his thrilling drifting experience, which contained many ancient myths. The first half of Odysseus is about meeting at sea, which is full of romance. The second half is about family life, full of realism. If he strays into Giant Island by mistake, he will kill the cyclops, the son of Poseidon, with wisdom, and bring his great courage and wisdom into full play. When he returned to the palace, he did not jump into the arms of his wife and children defenseless, but carefully worked out a plan to retaliate against the children of the nobles who proposed marriage.
The epic shows a heroic era, which makes us feel both strange and envious. The emphasis on heroes has reached its peak in this era. The confrontation between heroes contains the most unique understanding, the greatest gentleness and the most extreme cruelty. For example, the victorious Achilles dragged hector's body behind the car to demonstrate around the city. But nine days later, when the old king of Troy came to beg for the return of the body, he was moved by the old man's sadness and returned his son's body to him. The Trojans buried their hero sadly and solemnly. At the same time, modern people are confused about this era: people are slaughtered and bought and sold like cattle, and women are transferred as property, and they are suspicious and fighting with each other.
This epic is exquisitely structured. The time span of both epics is as long as 10 years, but the former only describes 4 days of fighting, 2 1 day of burial ceremony and 26 days of leisure time * * * 5 1 day; The latter only focuses on the activities of 4 1 day. Events related to the theme constitute the core story, and other social activities, trade exchanges, religious activities and production are interspersed among them.
Epic is written in natural and plain spoken language, and uses a lot of Homeric metaphors, which is fresh, strange and expressive. The secular depiction of characters is simple and clear, and a few strokes outline vivid characters. And the technique of side contrast is used.