[SuperNinKenDo]

Currently reading through Robert Fagles' translation of the Odyssey - a superb page turner, though my father would say lacking compared to some of the older, less approachable translations - and it has a great breakdown in the opening notes of the various academic zeitgeists for understanding the composition of the poems, in particular these constructions - I belive written by Bernard Knox.

Would reproduce it here, but it's long, and obviously still under copyright. However if this post piques anybody's interest, you should be able to find a copy.... wherever copies may be found... and I highly recommend checking it out, if just for the relevant intro, if not for the translation - which I personally do rate.

I believe this post adds an interesting angle to the discussion that isn't particularly explored in the introduction to Fagles, but the Fagles introduction adds a lot of Academic-Historical context to how these literary techniques have interacted with Academic trends at various times to inform people's understanding of the pieces.

Together with the OP, the two make for great reading.