told them nothing, as they could do nothing.
They would have dropped their oars again, in panic,
to roll for cover under the decking. Circe's
bidding against arms had slipped my mind,
so I tied on my cuirass and took up
two heavy spears, then made my way along
to the foredeck – thinking to see her first from there,
the monster of the grey rock, harboring
torment for my friends.
–The Odyssey,
Homer
Which theme statement is supported by the passage?
Odysseus decides to keep secrets from his men.
Strong leaders communicate information to their followers.
Fear is a powerful motivator.
Leaders must make difficult choices.
1 answer
The theme statement supported by the passage is: Leaders must make difficult choices.
In the passage, Odysseus decides not to inform his men about the danger they are about to face, understanding that revealing the truth could instill panic and hinder their ability to navigate the perilous situation. This reflects the difficult choice a leader faces when balancing the need for transparency with the need to maintain order and control during a crisis.
