The Odyssey Personification Quotes

When young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more
the true son of Odysseus sprang from bed and dressed,
over his shoulder he slung his well-honed sword,
fastened rawhide sandals under his smooth feet
and stepped from his bedroom, handsome as a god.

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 2, lines 1-5.The opening lines of Book 2 features personification, with dawn described as rising like a person. There is a simile comparing the son of Odysseus to the gods, as we are treated to a newly invigorated and more confident Telemachus.

"I’ll give that man his swamping fill of trouble!"
With that he rammed the clouds together – both hands
clutching his trident – churned the waves into chaos, whipping
all the gales from every quarter, shrouding over in thunderheads
the earth and sea at once – and night swept down from the sky –
East and South Winds clashed and the raging West and North,
sprung from the heavens, roiled heaving breakers up –
and Odysseus’ knees quaked, his spirit too.

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 5, lines 320-327. The fate of Odysseus and his hope of returning home appears to be very much in the hands of the gods. While he escapes Calypso’s island with the support of Athena and Zeus, an angry Poseidon is bent on making his journey as difficult as possible. He whips up a storm which drive him off course. In this passage the winds are personified, as they clash and rage and roil up the sea.

"And tell me your land, your people, your city too,
so our ships can sail you home – their wits will speed them there.
For we have no steersmen here among Phaeacia’s crews
or steering-oars that guide your common craft.
Our ships know in a flash their mates’ intentions,
know all ports of call and all the rich green fields.
With wings of the wind they cross the sea’s huge gulfs,
shrouded in mist and cloud – no fear in the world of foundering,
fatal shipwreck."

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 8, lines 623-631. King Alcinous personifies the magical ships in his fleet, as he offers one of them to take Odysseus and his men home. Alcinous suggests that his ships have minds of their own, can read the intentions of their crew, and know all the ports of call. The gift of the ship is an example of the extraordinary hospitality offered to Odysseus when he lands on the island of the Phaeacians. Hospitality is one of the most important themes in The Odyssey.

And now I ordered my shipmates all to cast lots –
who’d brave it out with me
to hoist our stake and grind it into his eye
when sleep had overcome him? Luck of the draw:
I got the very ones I would have picked myself,
four good men, and I in the lead made five.

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 9, lines 370-375. This shows why Odysseus is a good leader. He knows that anyone attacking Polyphemus is putting their own life at risk. But he puts the needs of the entire crew before the needs of the few, so is willing to risk sacrificing a few to save the majority. He also shows bravery in the face of danger. He includes himself in the sacrifice and draws lots with his men to fight the Cyclops. Whatever danger he asks his crew to face, he too is willing to face. Sleep is personified in this passage, which speaks about it overcoming the sailors.

With that
he toppled over, sprawled full-length, flat on his back
and lay there, his massive neck slumping to one side,
and sleep that conquers all overwhelmed him now
as wine came spurting, flooding up from his gullet
with chunks of human flesh – he vomited, blind drunk.

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 9, lines 414-417. After drinking the strong wine given him by Odysseus, Polyphemus falls down drunk and vomits up the pieces of the bodies of the men he has eaten. It is a horrifying and revolting scene. In this passage sleep is personified, as it "conquers" the Cyclops.

But I was already plotting…
what was the best way out? how could I find
escape from death for my crew, myself as well?
My wits kept weaving, weaving cunning schemes –
life at stake, monstrous death staring us in the face –
till this plan struck my mind as best.

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 9, lines 469-474. Hero Odysseus’ greatest characteristic is cunning. Always the man with the plan, he thinks very hard about a way to escape from the Cyclops’ cave, where he and his men are trapped. Homer uses this passage to show how Odysseus is very much a clever thinker, who relies on brain over brawn to get himself out of difficult situations. We also have an example of personification, with death said to be “staring” Odysseus and his crew in the face.

"Soon, soon
the great seer will appear before you, captain of armies:
he will tell you the way to go, the stages of your voyage,
how you can cross the swarming sea and reach home at last."
And with those words Dawn rose on her golden throne.

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 10, lines 592-596. Circe tells Odysseus that to make it home he must travel to the House of Death to speak to the prophet Tiresias, who will tell him the way to go. The goddess is helping Odysseus get back to Ithaca. The last line features the personification of dawn.

When young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more
they yoked their pair again, mounted the blazoned car
and out through the gates and echoing colonnade
they whipped the team to a run and on they flew,
holding nothing back, approaching Pylos soon,
the craggy citadel.

– Homer

The Odyssey, Book 15, lines 211-216. This is Homer’s descriptive account of Telemachus and Pisistratus’ journey back to Pylos from their visit to Menelaus’ palace, having stopped overnight in Diocles’ halls at Phera. Note the personification of dawn. This same literary device, human characteristics attributed to daybreak, is used throughout The Odyssey.
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