Question

read the excerpt from the odyssey.
then we unloaded all the cyclops flock
to make division, share and share alike,
only my fighters voted that my ram,
the prize of all, should go to me. i slew him
by the sea side and burnt his long thighbones
to zeus beyond the stormcloud, cronus son,
who rules the world. but zeus disdained my offering;
destruction for my ships he had in store
and death for those who sailed them, my companions.
what can be inferred about odysseus?
○ odysseus believes that he controls his own destiny.
○ odysseus is destined to perish at sea along with his
men.
○ odysseus is religious and he believes in the power
of the gods.
○ odysseus believes that he can escape his destiny.

Explanation:

To determine the inference about Odysseus, we analyze the excerpt:

• Odysseus makes an offering (burns thighbones) to Zeus, showing religious behavior and belief in the gods' power.
• The first option is incorrect as the excerpt shows Zeus' control (destruction for ships), so Odysseus doesn't believe he controls destiny.
• The second option is incorrect as the excerpt focuses on the offering and Zeus' response, not a direct prediction of perishing at sea.
• The fourth option is incorrect as Zeus' planned destruction implies Odysseus can't escape destiny.

Answer:

C. Odysseus is religious and he believes in the power of the gods.