Epithets

Homer repeatedly describes many of his characters  in his story with the same phrase. This phrase is called an epithet. Epithets are common epic elements which allow the reader to easily identify the character. Epithets stress a quality of what they are describing. The same character often is given several different epithets. The epithet was used as by oral poets to help them "catch their breath" whenever they mention a major figure or describe something familiar and recurring. The epithets were not used to illustrate a specific aspect of the figure at the moment he (she) is being spoken of, but were chosen to fit the meter of the line. Many translators, however, like to fit the epithet to an aspect of the character that is relevant to the moment.

Examples of epithets used in the Odyssey are:

• "The great tactician" - This term creates the image of Odysseus as being intelligent, and probably comes his being the initiator of the idea for the "Trojan horse."
• "The clear eyed goddess" - This helps the reader imagine that Athena is alert, and wise - farseeing.

Here are some more epithets: 

• "The bewitching nymph" (Calypso)
• "Son of Cronos" (Zeus)
• "Who marshals the thunderheads" (Zeus)
• "Cool headed" (Telemachus)
• "Lord of the war cry" (Menelaus)

Homer also makes ample use of STOCK PHRASES,

• the wine-dark sea
• Dawn spread on the eastern sky her fingers of pink light or When Dawn spread out her finger tips of rose 

All of Odysseus's epithets:

Odysseus

• resourceful, man of many resources, of many turns, man of twists and turns (πολύ-τροπος polú-tropos)
• much-enduring (πολύ-τλᾱς polú-tlās)
• great-hearted (μεγαλ-ήτωρ megal-ḗtōr)
• sacker of cities (πτολι-πόρθιος ptoli-pórthios)
• wise
• loved of Zeus
• great glory of the Achaeans
• master mariner
• mastermind of war
• hotheaded
• man of action
• the great teller of tales
• man of exploits
• man of pain
• that kingly man
• the hero
• Raider of Cities
• the great tactician
• cunning