Answer: The words provided are pronounced by Penelope, who is replying to the nurse's "proof" that the beggar is Odysseus.
Explanation: These words were taken from Book 23 of <em>The Odyssey</em>, when the nurse tells Penelope that Odysseus has finally returned to Ithaca and that he has also murdered Penelope's suitors. Moreover,<u> the nurse tells Penelope that she has seen the scar on Odysseus' foot, </u>which functions as the proof to convince Penelope that her husband has actually returned home. However, <u>she does not believe the nurse and implies that the everlasting gods would not allow Odysseus to come back to Ithaca. </u>
The correct answer of the given question above would be the first option: PENELOPE. Based on the given line above, the one who said it and why is PENELOPE. <span>Penelope is replying to the nurse's "proof" that the beggar is Odysseus. Hope this is the answer that you are looking for. </span>