Question

read the excerpt from part 1 of the odyssey
my men were mutinous,
fools, on stores of wine. sheep after sheep they
butchered by the surf, and shambling cattle,
feasting, - while fugitives went inland, running
to call to arms the main force of cicones.
this was an army, trained to fight on horseback
or, where the ground required, on foot. they came
with dawn over that terrain like the leaves
and blades of spring.
what theme is supported by the excerpt?
the victors of war earn rewards.
the fugitives of war suffer in isolation.
soldiers should take proper care of their horses.
soldiers must be wary of their enemies.

Explanation:

The excerpt shows that while Odysseus' men were feasting (not being wary), the Ciconian fugitives called for reinforcements. The Ciconian army (enemies) then came. This implies that soldiers (Odysseus' men) should be cautious of their enemies (the Ciconians). The other options:

• There is no mention of victors earning rewards in the context of the excerpt's immediate events related to the men's actions and the Ciconian response.
• The focus is not on the Ciconian fugitives' suffering in isolation; rather, it's about their action (calling for the main force) and the threat they pose.
• There is no mention of horses in the excerpt.

Answer:

Soldiers must be wary of their enemies.