Question

Which sentence best summarizes this excerpt from Book 21 of the Odyssey?

Answer 1

I believe the answer is: 2. Ulysses avenges Iphitus by attacking his murderer Hercules.

Pay attention to these lines:

On young Ulysses Iphitus bestowed:

Beneath Orsilochus' roof they met;

One loss was private, one a public debt;

This lines indicated that the following action which made by the Ulysses would be driven by Ulysses' act of friendshup toward Iphitus who somehow loss in battle.

Now, pay attention to these lines:

For journeying on to Hercules, at length

That lawless wretch, that man of brutal strength,

Deaf to Heaven's voice, the social rites transgress'd;

And for the beauteous mares destroy'd his guest.

He gave the bow; and on Ulysses' part

Received a pointed sword, and missile dart:

These lines conveys that the target of Ulysses' action is Hercules who can be inferred as the one who defeat Iphitus in battle.

Answer 2

Based on Book 21 of the Odyssey, the sentence which best summarizes the excerpt is:

2. Ulysses avenges Iphitus by attacking his murderer Hercules.

In the first half of the excerpt the friendship between Ulysses and Iphitus was described as long-lasting. On the second half of the excerpt, when Iphitus was killed by Hercules, Ulysses vowed to avenge for his friend's death by journeying to the enemy's homeland.