Question

and odysseus
let the bright molten tears run down his cheeks,
weeping the way a wife mourns for her lord
on the lost field where he has gone down fighting
the day of wrath that came upon his children.
at sight of the man panting and dying there,
she slips down to enfold him, crying out;
then feels the spears, prodding her back and shoulders,
and goes bound into slavery and grief.
piteous weeping wears away her cheeks;
but no more piteous than odysseus’ tears,
cloaked as they were, now, from the company (141).

1. type of figurative language

the author is comparing odysseus’ ______
to ______.
this comparison illustrates odysseus’ ______
because ______.

Explanation:

1. Type of figurative language: The author uses a simile (comparison using "like" or "as" is not here, wait, actually, the comparison is to a wife mourning her lord on the lost field. Wait, the first blank: the type is simile? No, wait, the comparison is between Odysseus' weeping and a wife mourning her lord. Wait, the structure: "weeping the way a wife mourns..." So it's a simile (using "way" as a comparative structure, similar to "like"). So first blank: Simile.
2. The author is comparing Odysseus’ weeping (or tears) to a wife mourning her lord on the lost field (or a wife’s mourning for her dead husband in battle).
3. This comparison illustrates Odysseus’ deep sorrow and grief because the wife’s mourning is a profound expression of loss, showing that Odysseus’ tears are full of intense sadness, likely for his trials, lost companions, or longing for home.

Answer:

1. Type of figurative language: Simile
2. The author is comparing Odysseus’ weeping (tears) to a wife mourning her lord on the lost field (a wife’s mourning for her dead husband in battle)
3. This comparison illustrates Odysseus’ profound sorrow/grief because the wife’s mourning represents deep, heartfelt loss, mirroring Odysseus’ intense sadness.