Epic Simile
An epic simile is a really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really long simile. This particular passage contains a really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really long simile. These elaborate indirect comparisons are considered somewhat pretentious in modern writing.
This epic simile describes the battle between Odysseus and the suitors. Odysseus and Telemachus are the eagles, a symbol of nobility and strength; although the eagles are outnumbered, they "rip their lives out." Like the smaller birds have no hope of rescue, the suitors are doomed. The description captures Odysseus' anger, the panic of the suitors, and the gore of killing.
This epic simile describes the battle between Odysseus and the suitors. Odysseus and Telemachus are the eagles, a symbol of nobility and strength; although the eagles are outnumbered, they "rip their lives out." Like the smaller birds have no hope of rescue, the suitors are doomed. The description captures Odysseus' anger, the panic of the suitors, and the gore of killing.