Part 6/17:
Homer’s authorship remains shrouded in mystery — was he a single bard, a collective of poets, or even a woman? Regardless, Homer’s Odyssey exemplifies a sophisticated oral poetic tradition. The epic relied on formulaic composition—repeating phrases, standard scenes, and storytelling patterns that aided memorization and performance—yet achieved unity and artistry that suggest a master poet’s craftsmanship.
The transition from oral recitation to written text, likely facilitated by the advent of alphabetic literacy, revolutionized cultural transmission. Homer’s language, in dactylic hexameter, carried a rhythmic power that aided memory and performance, ensuring the poem’s survival through centuries.