Question

Charles himself saw a ball of fire fall suddenly from the heavens with a great light, just as he was leaving camp before sunrise to set out on the march. It rushed across the clear sky from right to left, and everybody was wondering what was the meaning of the sign . . . BUT CHARLES DESPISED, OR AFFECTED TO DESPISE, ALL THESE OMENS, AS HAVING NO REFERENCE WHATEVER TO HIM.

What does the capitalized passage say about Charlemagne’s character?

He did not believe in omens.
He was continually worried about his health.
He believed his death was near.
He believed in signs of destiny.

Answer 1

He did not believe in omens.

The line says he “despised, or affected to despise, all these omens,” meaning he either truly rejected or at least pretended to reject omens and thought they did not apply to him.