# Homer — Essays character guide

> Homer in Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Homer and Confucius

**First appearance:** 0013-homer-ossian-chaucer

## Who they are

Ancient Greek poet; referenced as a heroic bard.

## Relationships

### [Chaucer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/chaucer)

_social_

Chaucer and Homer are linked as foundational poets of their respective literary traditions, representing a cross-cultural intellectual connection.

## In the story

### [Aulus Persius Flaccus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/aulus-persius-flaccus)

Mentioned as one of the great poets whose works are but 'rustling of leaves' compared to the Muse's true song.

### [A Walk to Wachusett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/a-walk-to-wachusett)

Referenced as a poet whose allusions to Olympus are interpreted through the distant mountains.

### [Natural History of Massachusetts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/natural-history-of-massachusetts)

Referenced as a poet who might have been inspired by the simple delights of fishing.

### [A Winter Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/a-winter-walk)

Quoted for his description of snow falling thick and fast, paralleling the winter scene.

### [Homer; Ossian; Chaucer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/homer-ossian-chaucer)

Discussed as the archetypal epic poet, representing heroic simplicity and a direct connection to nature.

### [Homer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/homer)

Central figure of the chapter; Thoreau uses Homer's Iliad to exemplify the natural and timeless quality of true poetry.

### [Ossian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/ossian)

Compared to Ossian; both are seen as asserting the dignity of the bard and sharing a similar poetic stamp.

### [Chaucer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/chaucer)

Compared to Chaucer; both share innocence and serenity of youth, and the Iliad is described as morning reading.

### [Thomas Carlyle and His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/thomas-carlyle-and-his-works)

Thoreau contrasts Homer's direct and confident communication with Carlyle's more indirect style, using Homer as an example of a world's worthy who speaks without suspicion.

### [Walking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/walking)

Mentioned as one of the old prophets and poets who walked in nature.

### [The History of the Apple-Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/the-history-of-the-apple-tree)

Mentioned for describing apple trees in the garden of Alcinous and the myth of Tantalus.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/homer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters