the muse
Homer invokes a muse at the beginning of the epic to ask for divine inspiration and guidance in telling the story. The muse was traditionally believed to be a source of artistic inspiration and knowledge, and invoking her was a way to signal the importance and grandeur of the tale being told. It also helped connect the poem to a larger tradition of epic storytelling.
As a poet, that was his way of honoring the goddess who he thought was helping him compose his epic. In this case it would have been Calliope.
Sing in me, Muse
Homer calls on the Muse, specifically the Muse of epic poetry, to inspire him to tell the story of Odysseus in "The Odyssey." The Muse is invoked in the opening lines of the epic to help guide and inspire Homer's storytelling.
The muse was invoked by a prayer. Invoking the muse was a common literary convention in Greek epic poems. The narrator would invoke the muse to elicit her assistance in the telling of the story. The goddesses were known to possess knowledge so would be able to guide him to tell the story in the best way.
Homer, as the author of The Iliad, established many of the epic conventions found in the poem, such as the invocation of the Muse, the use of epithets, and the inclusion of epic similes. His work set the standard for later epic poetry in ancient Greece.
Homer opens the Odyssey with an invocation to the Muse to inspire and guide him in telling the story of Odysseus' journey. This sets the tone for the epic and emphasizes the importance of storytelling and divine inspiration in the narrative. By invoking the Muse, Homer establishes the epic as a work of poetry that draws on divine inspiration and sets the stage for the epic tale that follows.
Often called an "invocation" or "an appeal to a muse"
Yes, in "The Odyssey," the muse is invoked at the beginning of the epic as the goddess of inspiration and creativity. The muse is asked to help the poet tell the story of Odysseus's journey.
Calliope was the muse of epic poetry.
Calliope was the Muse of epic poetry.
Calliope.
In an epic poem, a muse serves as a source of inspiration for the poet to create a work of art that is grand and timeless. The muse is often invoked at the beginning of the poem to ask for guidance, help, or divine inspiration in telling the story. The presence of a muse adds a sense of awe and reverence to the poem, elevating it to a higher level of significance.