# Homer — Essays character guide

> Homer in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-self-reliance

## Who they are

Legendary ancient Greek poet, author of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

## In the story

### [Spiritual Laws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/spiritual-laws)

Mentioned in a rhetorical question comparing the pertinence of the narrator's existence to that of Homer, arguing for the soul's purposeful assignment of each organ (person).

### [The Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/the-poet)

His words are described as being as valuable to him as a hero's victories. Later, it is suggested a new poet might make 'Homer no more should be heard of.'

### [Manners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/manners)

Implied through the reference to classical heroism and the archetype of the heroic character.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters/homer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters