Question

As Circe spoke, Dawn mounted her golden throne,

and on the first rays Circe left me, taking

her way like a great goddess up the island.

I made straight for the ship, roused up the men

to get aboard and cast off at the stern.5

They scrambled to their places by the rowlocks

and all in line dipped oars in the grey sea.

But soon an off-shore breeze blew to our liking–

a canvas-bellying breeze, a lusty shipmate

sent by the singing nymph with sunbright hair.10

So we made fast the braces, and we rested,

letting the wind and steersman work the ship.

–The Odyssey,
Homer

What logical conclusion can be drawn about Odysseus’s leadership based on this passage?

He is an observant leader who relaxes while his crew works.
He is a strict leader who demands that his crew work quickly.
He is an efficient leader who prompts his crew to work quickly.
He is a casual leader who returns to his crew calmly.

Answer 1

He is an efficient leader who prompts his crew to work quickly.

Explanation: He immediately rouses the men, gets them to their oars, and they "scrambled to their places" and cast off—showing prompt, efficient action under his direction.