This work approaches the significance of oral tradition in Homer’s Odyssey. Oral tradition– the transference of stories, history, and values through spoken word, song, and performance– was a prominent method of communication in preliterate societies. Bards, as respected artists of various mediums, were believed to channel divine inspiration from the Muses. In their cultural role they were elevated as conveyors of history, reinforcing their authority and legitimacy. Immediate diegetic mode is discussed in its utilization to create emotional engagement and immediacy. Exploring the descriptions of bards Phemius and Demodocus provides insight into the perception of the Muses, from a symbolic figure representing artistic mastery to literal divine inspiration.
Anika Elema (Wed,) studied this question.