Question

read the excerpt from part 2 of the odyssey. out of the cave the mammoth polyphemus roared in answer: ‘nohbdy, nohbdys tricked me, nohbdys ruined me!’ to this rough shout they made a sage reply: ‘ah well, if nobody has played you foul there in your lonely bed, we are no use in pain given by great zeus. let it be your father, poseidon lord, to whom you pray.’ what theme is best revealed by this conflict? humor can relieve tense situations. it is important to be loyal to friends and family. trickery is a valuable weapon in battle. riddles are best solved with many minds.

Explanation:

In the excerpt, Odysseus (using the trick name "Nohbdy") deceives Polyphemus. The conflict shows that trickery helps Odysseus in this battle - like situation (escaping the cave). The other options don't fit: humor isn't the focus, loyalty to friends/family isn't shown, and riddles aren't the main point. So trickery as a valuable weapon in battle is the best theme.

Answer:

C. Trickery is a valuable weapon in battle.