read the excerpt from the odyssey. then we unloaded all the cyclops' flock to make division, share and share alike, only my figh
ters voted that my ram, the prize of all, should go to me. i slew him by the sea side and burnt his long thighbones to zeus beyond the stormcloud, cronus’ son, who rules the world. but zeus disdained my offering; destruction for my ships he had in store and death for those who sailed them, my companions. what can be inferred about odysseus? a. odysseus believes that he controls his own destiny. b. odysseus is destined to perish at sea along with his men. c. odysseus is religious and he believes in the power of the gods. d. odysseus believes that he can escape his destiny.
c. Odysseus is religious and he believes in the power of the gods.
Explanation:
Homer's epic narrative "The Odyssey" tells the story of the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, who had been away from home for more than two decades. It narrates the journey of the king and his men, the hardships they endure and the various traps and obstacles they had to overcome.
The excerpt in the question shows when Odysseus and his men had taken the sheep of the cyclops in Book IX. They had just got away from the wrath of Polyphemus whose eye he had hurt, along with stealing things from him. But he also make it a point to offer sacrifices to the gods, especially Zeus who was lord over all. Even though "Zeus disdained [my] offering; destruction for [my] ships he had in store and death for those who sailed them, [my] companions", Odysseus did not waver in his reverence for the gods. This shows his religious nature, his faith in the gods and belief in their power.
