Question
Frogs!
[But the Frogs are afraid of Crumbtaker and hop away. The Mice rattle their swords against their shields.]
ZEUS: Now poor Puffyjaws will surely be killed. His wife and children will become slaves. (He wipes away a tear.) That would be a tragedy. Athena!
ATHENA (winding a spool): Yes, Father?
ZEUS: I have to go to Ethiopia now. End the battle fairly.
ATHENA: I am weary today. It is tiring to be goddess of war. I also have weaving and law, remember. Make Ares to do it.
ARES (shouting): I would go, but alone I am not strong enough to stop those Mice.
[Laughing at his children, Zeus thunders so loudly that Mount Olympus shakes. Crumbtaker hears the thunder and trembles. Just then, peacekeepers with snapping claws advance from the water. They wear armored shields on their backs. Their claws snap. The Mice flee; the Frogs dive into the lake. The Crabs bend the swords of the Mice and snap the Frogs’ spears in two, and the sun sets over the field of battle.]
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Multiple Choice Question
How does “The Battle of the Frogs and Mice, A Parody of The Iliad” draw from traditional Greek literature in portraying the gods?
A.
The gods are shown as being angry and vindictive towards mortals.
B.
The gods are shown as being dependent on the sacrifices of mortals.
C.
The gods are shown as being inconsistent in their interaction with mortals.
D.
The gods are shown as being benevolent towards all mortals.
[But the Frogs are afraid of Crumbtaker and hop away. The Mice rattle their swords against their shields.]
ZEUS: Now poor Puffyjaws will surely be killed. His wife and children will become slaves. (He wipes away a tear.) That would be a tragedy. Athena!
ATHENA (winding a spool): Yes, Father?
ZEUS: I have to go to Ethiopia now. End the battle fairly.
ATHENA: I am weary today. It is tiring to be goddess of war. I also have weaving and law, remember. Make Ares to do it.
ARES (shouting): I would go, but alone I am not strong enough to stop those Mice.
[Laughing at his children, Zeus thunders so loudly that Mount Olympus shakes. Crumbtaker hears the thunder and trembles. Just then, peacekeepers with snapping claws advance from the water. They wear armored shields on their backs. Their claws snap. The Mice flee; the Frogs dive into the lake. The Crabs bend the swords of the Mice and snap the Frogs’ spears in two, and the sun sets over the field of battle.]
Read Less ▲
Multiple Choice Question
How does “The Battle of the Frogs and Mice, A Parody of The Iliad” draw from traditional Greek literature in portraying the gods?
A.
The gods are shown as being angry and vindictive towards mortals.
B.
The gods are shown as being dependent on the sacrifices of mortals.
C.
The gods are shown as being inconsistent in their interaction with mortals.
D.
The gods are shown as being benevolent towards all mortals.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
C. The gods are shown as being inconsistent in their interaction with mortals.
In the passage, Zeus expresses concern for the fates of Puffyjaws and his family, indicating a degree of care for mortals. However, Athena's weariness and refusal to assist further highlight the inconsistent nature of divine involvement, as she prefers to let Ares handle the situation. This reflects the unpredictable and often whimsical demeanor of gods in traditional Greek literature, where they are sometimes indifferent or apathetic towards human affairs.
In the passage, Zeus expresses concern for the fates of Puffyjaws and his family, indicating a degree of care for mortals. However, Athena's weariness and refusal to assist further highlight the inconsistent nature of divine involvement, as she prefers to let Ares handle the situation. This reflects the unpredictable and often whimsical demeanor of gods in traditional Greek literature, where they are sometimes indifferent or apathetic towards human affairs.