Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.

Question

Now Zeus the lord of cloud roused in the north
a storm against the ships, and driving veils
of squall moved down like night on land and sea.
The bows went plunging at the gust; sails
cracked and lashed out strips in the big wind.
We saw death in that fury, dropped the yards,
unshipped the oars, and pulled for the nearest lee:
then two long days and nights we lay offshore
worn out and sick at heart, tasting our grief,
until a third Dawn came with ringlets shining.
Then we put up our masts, hauled sail, and rested,
letting the steersmen and the breeze take over.

Which elements of epic poetry are shown in this excerpt? Select three options.

supernatural elements
an invocation of a muse
a difficult journey with trials
rhyme and repetition of words
important historical events
a hero showing perseverance

Answer 1

The three elements of epic poetry shown in this excerpt from The Odyssey are:

1. Supernatural elements - The involvement of Zeus, the lord of the gods, conjuring a storm indicates the presence of supernatural forces at play.

2. A difficult journey with trials - The passage describes a challenging experience for the sailors as they face a fierce storm, highlighting their struggle and trials during their journey.

3. A hero showing perseverance - The scene illustrates the determination of the sailors as they endure the storm, ultimately finding the strength to continue their journey after the tempest passes.

These elements combine to convey the epic nature of the narrative in The Odyssey.