Simile - Eric Multer

"His ash spear hit the disk of Menelaus’ shield,

But the point bent and didn’t break through

The heavy bronze.  Menelaus charged

With a prayer to Zeus, and as Euphorbus stepped back,

Put his spear through the base of his neck,

Leaning into the thrust with a strong grip on the shaft.

The point passed right through his soft neck

And he fell heavily with a clatter of armor.

His hair, braided like twisted myrtle

With gold and silver, was drenched with blood.

A man has been rearing an olive sapling

In a lonely place, where it has enough water.

It is beautiful and growing well, quivering

In the breeze, its white buds blossoming.

One day a storm comes with violent winds,

Tears it from its trench, and leaves it on the ground."

(17.40)

The Tenor is Arguable both Euphorbus and Menelaus.  They each have their own vehicle, Euphorbus being the Olive tree and Menelaus being the Storm.  The olive tree is a common crop and grows really anywhere.  This olive tree (Euphorbus) was grown in a place where it could survive but the place was secluded (troy) where it is potentially vulnerable.  The tree was beautiful and strong just as the warrior Euphorbus.  The tree and warrior quiver in the opposing forces but stand strong and through until fate brings a single force (Menelaus/the storm) that brings the mighty down and leaves it to the ground.  This is yet another instance of a simile referring to nature and also an instance where homer brings forward death in vivid description.  The death is explained so gory but the simile makes it into something so beautiful and natural. One can easily visualize the battle and the simile and overlaid, they follow almost true to each other.  There is also the line "Menelaus charged with a prayer from Zeus" where Menelaus is already becoming a storm on the battlefield with help from the mighty Zeus uprooting the brave Euphorbus.