Question

Read the passage from "Cruel Tribute.”

Then every maiden, without looking, reached her hand into one of the vessels and drew forth a ball, and those who took the black balls were borne away to the black ship, which lay in waiting by the shore. The young men also drew lots in like manner, but when six black balls had been drawn Theseus came quickly forward and said:

"Hold! Let no more balls be drawn. I will be the seventh youth to pay this tribute.”

What is the effect when Theseus volunteers?

Theseus sets himself up to become the ruler of Athens.
Theseus sets himself up to battle the Minotaur.
Theseus sets himself up to win Ariadne’s love.
Theseus sets himself up to win King Minos’s respect.

Answer 1

Theseus sets himself up to battle the Minotaur.

By volunteering as the seventh youth, he is offering himself as one of the sacrificial victims sent to Crete—positioning himself to confront and try to defeat the Minotaur and end the cruel tribute.