How do Odysseus's Epic Epithets tell a tale in Homer's Odyssey?

Epithets are descriptive phrases used in place of a name or place, most commonly, and often are metaphors.  Homer uses stock epithet's meaning that he refers to the same person over and over again with a phrase that made sense the first time he introduced it, but does not necessarily anymore.  Hector is the "breaker of horses" throughout the Iliad even though the reference to horses only applies early on; it just becomes who he is. 

These should not be confused with epic or Homeric similes, which are long and involved similes.  Homer often creates a simile that is quite complex and can go on for 10-15 lines. 

Although both can be metaphors, epithets are used in place of a name and are only a few words, while epic similes add to the poetry of the piece.