# Homer — Representative Men character guide

> Homer in Representative Men by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0005-v-shakespeare-or-the-poet

## Who they are

Ancient Greek epic poet, referenced as the archetype of poetic genius.

## In the story

### [V: Shakespeare; or, the Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/representative_men_se/chapters/v-shakespeare-or-the-poet)

Mentioned as a bard who lies in sunshine, contrasted with Shakespeare's even more sovereign and cheerful tone.

### [VII: Goethe; or, the Writer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/representative_men_se/chapters/vii-goethe-or-the-writer)

Implied in the comparison of Mephistopheles to Prometheus, a figure from classical mythology.

## Links

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