Question

Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.

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

- supernatural elements (Zeus rouses a storm)
- a difficult journey with trials (ships battered, days of struggle)
- a hero showing perseverance (they endure, shelter, then sail on)