Question

the odyssey
characters
odysseus (o dis e as) - king of ithaca
zeus (rom) - king of the gods
athena (e th no) - goddess of wisdom, skills, and warfare
laertes (le r t r) - odysseuss father
telemachus (to lem a kes) - odysseus and penelopes son
eumaeus (you me as) - old swineherd and friend of odysseus
antinous (an im o as) - leader among the suitors of penelope
eurycleme (yoo nir a me) - housekeeper for penelope
penelope (pa nel a pe) - odysseuss wife
odysseuss story has now come full circle. odysseus has told his story to the phaeacians, and they have helped him return home to ithaca. much has changed in the twenty years he has been gone. many men have been living in and staying in ithaca, hoping to marry odysseuss wife, penelope, and become king of ithaca. because they value hospitality, penelope and her son, telemachus, have tolerated the unwelcome guests. they will not leave until penelope chooses a new husband, but penelope refuses to marry any of them, because she believes that odysseus is still alive. these suitors are also planning to kill telemachus because he is of age to become the next king. when odysseus arrives in ithaca, he must act with great restraint. he knows that running home to his wife and telemachus will result in his death. athena transforms odysseus into an old man. this disguise will keep him from being recognized, but will also allow him to enter his kingdom and make a plan. athena appears to odysseus as he walks to enter his kingdom.

which excerpt from the odyssey best demonstrates the importance of perseverance in greek society?
long ships
with good stout planks
athwart - would fighters rig
them
to ride the barren sea,
except for hunger?
\i learned
to keep my head in
hardship - years of war
and years at sea. let this
new trial come.\
the young men,
afterward
hunted wild goats with him,
and hare, and deer,
but he had grown old in his
masters absence.
no man of woman born
could work these wonders
by his own craft, unless a
god came into it
with ease to turn him
young or old at will

Explanation:

To determine which excerpt best shows perseverance in Greek society, we analyze each option:

• First excerpt: Describes ships and hunger, not perseverance.
• Second excerpt: "I learned to keep my head in hardship—years of war and years at sea. Let this new trial come." This directly shows Odysseus' resolve to endure hardships (war, sea voyages) and face new challenges, embodying perseverance.
• Third excerpt: Talks about young men hunting with Odysseus (in absence), focuses on his aging, not perseverance.
• Fourth excerpt: Discusses human vs. godly capabilities, not perseverance.

Answer:

The excerpt "I learned to keep my head in hardship—years of war and years at sea. Let this new trial come." (the second excerpt among the options)