epithets

• often describe personal characteristics e.g. 'thoughtful' or 'cunning'
• sometimes they define status e.g. 'bright-eyed' Athene (immortals shine) or 'white-armed' Nausicaa (noble women do not work in the sun)
• the essential nature of objects or places is also expressed in epithets e.g. 'black' ship, 'tuneful' lyre, 'mellow' wine, 'woody' Zakynthos, 'sea-girt' Ithaca
• they are used frequently by oral poets as they fit into the metre and can be slotted in during composition like prefabricated units