Essay | The Five Senses in "The Odyssey"

"Upon her hearthstone a great fire blazing scented the farthest shores with cedar smoke and smoke of thyme, and singing high and low in her sweet voice..." (Od.5, 64-67). Speaking of Calypso, this quote evokes a sense of primarily smell, but sound as well. Phrases such as `scented the farthest shores' and `cedar smoke' bring about the scent of invigorating cedar, as well as the peaceful, calm atmosphere described. From this quote, the reader is able to feel Calypso's utter divinity. This is just one of the many quotes in Homer's, The Odyssey that appeal to the senses and create an image of chaos or order.

Homer incorporates the sense of sight to create both chaotic situations, as well as peaceful, orderly ones. While Odysseus is on Calypso's island, the surroundings are being described with great detail- " Around the smoothwalled cave a crooking vine held purple clusters under ply...
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