One of the main elements of an epic poem is an extended simile. Which of the following characterizes an extended simile?

A) a story that begins in the middle

B) a comparison using "like" or "as"

C) a detailed narrative

D) a call for divine aid

The correct answer is B) a comparison using like or as.

In extended similes, you can find very long comparisons between two or more things that span several lines of a poem. Homer was famous for this so it is also known as Homeric simile. He used it for example when describing how Odysseus' ship is thrown around by waves in a similar manner to how fishermen are thrown by waves.