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Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Book 10
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of the poem is frequently thrilling and adventurous, particularly in those sections of the poem that depict Odysseus's perilous return to Ithaca and the various trials and monsters he faces along the way. When Odysseus and his remaining men flee the giant, cannibalistic Laestrygonians, for example, the poem takes on a stirring, action-packed tone:
Down from the cliffs they flung great rocks a man could hardly hoist
and a ghastly shattering din rose up from all the ships —
men in their death-cries, hulls smashed to splinters —
[...] I pulled the sword from beside my hip and hacked away
at the ropes that moored my blue-prowed ship of war
and shouted rapid orders at my shipmates:
‘Put your backs in the oars —now row or die!’
In terror of death they ripped the swells —all as one —
and what a joy as we darted out toward open sea,
clear of those beetling cliffs.
Here, the narration emphasizes the fast-paced action and hair-raising stakes of the scene. With no wind to aid them, Odysseus and his men row their ships for several days before seeking shelter on the island of the Laestrygonians. Instead of being treated with hospitality, however, the cannibalistic Laestrygonians decide to make a meal of their human guests. Odysseus and his men return to their ships and, "in terror of death," one ship clears the island while most of the men are eaten by the Laestrygonians. The language of this passage emphasizes its urgency, as Odysseus shouts "rapid orders" at his men and yells at them to "row or die!" Though the poem deals with several serious and grave themes, it also offers many thrilling escapes and daring charges.
Related Themes:
