Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- In what ways does Walcott use epic conventions? How does he reject or reform them in his work? To what purpose?
- Why does Walcott latch on to Homer and his work for the basis of this poem? Why not some other epic poet?
- What role does nature play in the poem?
- What is the purpose of poetry in the work? (Yes, it makes it a poem—think beyond that.)
- What is the role of the narrator-poet in Omeros?
- Why do you suppose that Helen (of St. Lucia) receives such little character development?
- How does the poverty of the characters affect the thematic concerns of the work?
- In what ways does race play a role in Omeros? Try to think of issues beyond slavery as well.
- Is this work "timeless and universal"? In what ways? Are there ways in which it is not?
- What is the effect of using formal poetic language to talk about the lives of fishermen?