The Foundations of Literature

Students of literature often overlook the foundations of contemporary works: Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey.

These epic poems are frequently identified as the core of all subsequent literature. Homer (if indeed he did exist) created a formulaic method of literary expression and transliterated stories from the prevalent oral tradition. While these poems can be viewed as the first form of literature, the stories told and the manner in which they are told are far from primitive.

These poems directly deal with literary framework and issues of vocality. The Iliad contains a prolonged flashback and a very subtle illumination of the previous ten years of the Trojan war. In a similar vein, The Odyssey is written from the perspective of both Telemachus and Odysseus and contains a circular narration regarding Odysseus' 'nostos'.

The themes and patterns of these poems are also still evident in contemporary literature. Including specific references to the vents of The Iliad and The Odyssey, the creation of the return motif and issues of military leadership, honour and spirituality have their basis in Homer. These themes have directly and indirectly influenced countless writers throughout the history of literature.

To understand the vast forests of literature it is necessary to trace their roots in the beautifully complex work of Homer.

-The English Student