Question
Highlight details about the characters.
We ran to fetch our hunting bows and long-shanked
lances from the ships, and in three companies
we took our shots. Heaven gave us game a-plenty
–The Odyssey,
Homer
What inference can be made about the characters?
What inference can be made about the characters’ beliefs?
We ran to fetch our hunting bows and long-shanked
lances from the ships, and in three companies
we took our shots. Heaven gave us game a-plenty
–The Odyssey,
Homer
What inference can be made about the characters?
What inference can be made about the characters’ beliefs?
Answers
Answer
What inference can be made about the characters?
They are experienced hunters.
What inference can be made about the characters’ beliefs?
They believe that the gods helped them shoot game.
But on the spot I told them: 'Back, and quickly!
Out to sea again!' 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.
-The Odyssey,
Homer
What motivates Odysseus’s men to ignore his orders to leave quickly?
They are seasick and want to stay on the island to recover.
They want to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves before setting off on their journey.
They do not want to work for Odysseus anymore.
They are experienced hunters.
What inference can be made about the characters’ beliefs?
They believe that the gods helped them shoot game.
But on the spot I told them: 'Back, and quickly!
Out to sea again!' 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.
-The Odyssey,
Homer
What motivates Odysseus’s men to ignore his orders to leave quickly?
They are seasick and want to stay on the island to recover.
They want to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves before setting off on their journey.
They do not want to work for Odysseus anymore.
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
Based on the excerpt from *The Odyssey* by Homer, several inferences can be made about the characters and their beliefs:
### Inferences about the Characters:
1. **Skilled Hunters**: The characters demonstrate a level of skill and experience in hunting, as they are able to quickly fetch their bows and lances, indicating they are accustomed to this practice.
2. **Cooperative Nature**: The fact that they organize themselves into "three companies" suggests they are capable of teamwork and collaboration, which implies they value camaraderie and collective effort in their pursuits.
3. **Resilience and Proactivity**: The phrase "we ran to fetch" indicates that the characters are proactive and willing to take action in pursuit of their needs or goals, suggesting a sense of urgency and determination.
### Inferences about the Characters’ Beliefs:
1. **Harmony with Nature**: The enjoyment of hunting and the reference to receiving "game a-plenty" from Heaven indicate that the characters likely believe in a harmonious relationship with nature, valuing the bounty it provides for their survival and sustenance.
2. **Divine Favor**: The mention of "Heaven gave us game a-plenty" suggests that the characters believe in divine providence or the favor of the gods. They seem to attribute their successful hunt to the blessings of higher powers, reflecting a belief in the interconnectedness of human effort and divine support.
3. **Valor and Tradition**: The act of hunting, particularly with traditional weaponry like bows and lances, may suggest a belief in valor, tradition, and the importance of proving oneself through physical prowess, which is often a key aspect of heroism in epic narratives.
Overall, the characters depicted in this passage exhibit traits of skill, teamwork, and proactivity while simultaneously holding beliefs in nature's bountiful gifts and the influence of divine will.
### Inferences about the Characters:
1. **Skilled Hunters**: The characters demonstrate a level of skill and experience in hunting, as they are able to quickly fetch their bows and lances, indicating they are accustomed to this practice.
2. **Cooperative Nature**: The fact that they organize themselves into "three companies" suggests they are capable of teamwork and collaboration, which implies they value camaraderie and collective effort in their pursuits.
3. **Resilience and Proactivity**: The phrase "we ran to fetch" indicates that the characters are proactive and willing to take action in pursuit of their needs or goals, suggesting a sense of urgency and determination.
### Inferences about the Characters’ Beliefs:
1. **Harmony with Nature**: The enjoyment of hunting and the reference to receiving "game a-plenty" from Heaven indicate that the characters likely believe in a harmonious relationship with nature, valuing the bounty it provides for their survival and sustenance.
2. **Divine Favor**: The mention of "Heaven gave us game a-plenty" suggests that the characters believe in divine providence or the favor of the gods. They seem to attribute their successful hunt to the blessings of higher powers, reflecting a belief in the interconnectedness of human effort and divine support.
3. **Valor and Tradition**: The act of hunting, particularly with traditional weaponry like bows and lances, may suggest a belief in valor, tradition, and the importance of proving oneself through physical prowess, which is often a key aspect of heroism in epic narratives.
Overall, the characters depicted in this passage exhibit traits of skill, teamwork, and proactivity while simultaneously holding beliefs in nature's bountiful gifts and the influence of divine will.
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The behavior of Odysseus's men, as described in the passage, indicates that they are motivated primarily by a desire for immediate pleasure and indulgence rather than the discipline required for their journey.
### What Motivates Odysseus's Men to Ignore His Orders?
- **They want to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves before setting off on their journey**: This inference is the most accurate, as the text highlights that the men are butchering sheep and feasting on cattle, indicating their preoccupation with indulging in the available food and wine instead of following Odysseus's orders to leave quickly. Their enjoyment of the moment takes precedence over their responsibilities and the urgency of their situation.
While the other options suggest reasons for their behavior, they do not align as closely with the context provided in the passage. For instance, the mention of being "mutinous" points to a deeper rebellion against Odysseus's authority, but it primarily stems from their desire for immediate gratification rather than a refusal to work or a reaction to seasickness. Therefore, the core motivation appears to be a pursuit of pleasure and indulgence.
### What Motivates Odysseus's Men to Ignore His Orders?
- **They want to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves before setting off on their journey**: This inference is the most accurate, as the text highlights that the men are butchering sheep and feasting on cattle, indicating their preoccupation with indulging in the available food and wine instead of following Odysseus's orders to leave quickly. Their enjoyment of the moment takes precedence over their responsibilities and the urgency of their situation.
While the other options suggest reasons for their behavior, they do not align as closely with the context provided in the passage. For instance, the mention of being "mutinous" points to a deeper rebellion against Odysseus's authority, but it primarily stems from their desire for immediate gratification rather than a refusal to work or a reaction to seasickness. Therefore, the core motivation appears to be a pursuit of pleasure and indulgence.