Question
Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.
Why not
take these cheeses, get them stowed, come back,
throw open all the pens, and make a run for it?
We'll drive the kids and lambs aboard. We say
put out again on good salt water!'
Ah,
how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished
to see the caveman, what he had to offer—
no pretty sight, it turned out, for my friends.
Odysseus ignores his men’s pleas to return to the ship. As a result, they face terrible consequences. How does Odysseus’s decision defy ancient Greek attitudes and values?
A great leader makes decisions that are good for him, no matter how they affect his men.
A great leader listens to his men and considers their thoughts and opinions.
A great leader has great self-control and makes sound decisions.
A great leader takes risks in order to gain more treasure and learn about foreign lands.
Why not
take these cheeses, get them stowed, come back,
throw open all the pens, and make a run for it?
We'll drive the kids and lambs aboard. We say
put out again on good salt water!'
Ah,
how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished
to see the caveman, what he had to offer—
no pretty sight, it turned out, for my friends.
Odysseus ignores his men’s pleas to return to the ship. As a result, they face terrible consequences. How does Odysseus’s decision defy ancient Greek attitudes and values?
A great leader makes decisions that are good for him, no matter how they affect his men.
A great leader listens to his men and considers their thoughts and opinions.
A great leader has great self-control and makes sound decisions.
A great leader takes risks in order to gain more treasure and learn about foreign lands.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Odysseus's decision to ignore his men's pleas to return to the ship and instead confront the Cyclops demonstrates a complex interplay of leadership qualities that both aligns with and defies ancient Greek attitudes and values.
In ancient Greek culture, particularly as depicted in works like The Odyssey, qualities such as courage, honor, and the quest for knowledge are highly valued. While Odysseus’s desire to see the Cyclops and learn about this foreign land could be interpreted as a pursuit of knowledge and adventure (which would be praised in Greek culture), it also embodies a reckless disregard for the safety of his men, which contrasts with the expected qualities of a leader who puts the welfare of his crew first.
Among the options provided, the most fitting interpretation is:
**A great leader has great self-control and makes sound decisions.**
Odysseus’s choice reflects a lack of self-control and sound decision-making in this moment, as he prioritizes his curiosity over the safety of his men, ultimately leading them into danger. This decision highlights the tension between the heroic pursuit of knowledge and the responsibilities of leadership, suggesting that even admired leaders can falter under the pressure of their own ambitions.
In ancient Greek culture, particularly as depicted in works like The Odyssey, qualities such as courage, honor, and the quest for knowledge are highly valued. While Odysseus’s desire to see the Cyclops and learn about this foreign land could be interpreted as a pursuit of knowledge and adventure (which would be praised in Greek culture), it also embodies a reckless disregard for the safety of his men, which contrasts with the expected qualities of a leader who puts the welfare of his crew first.
Among the options provided, the most fitting interpretation is:
**A great leader has great self-control and makes sound decisions.**
Odysseus’s choice reflects a lack of self-control and sound decision-making in this moment, as he prioritizes his curiosity over the safety of his men, ultimately leading them into danger. This decision highlights the tension between the heroic pursuit of knowledge and the responsibilities of leadership, suggesting that even admired leaders can falter under the pressure of their own ambitions.