I believe the answer is going to be A but without the underlined phrase I am not 100% sure.
A discourse is a speech, a discussion or a way to communicate through conversation a message to a specific audience. Another word that has a similar meaning and that is present in the excerpt is the word <em>sermon.</em> A sermon is also a speech, and it a communicates a religious message. Therefore, the correct answer is that the word from the excerpt that helps define discourse is the word <em>sermon</em>.
Answer: Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. ... Odysseus, the crafty ruler of Ithaca is not a hero because of his lack of many important heroic qualities.