Question

Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.

Now Zeus the lord of cloud roused in the north
a storm against the ships, and driving veils
of squall moved down like night on land and sea.
The bows went plunging at the gust; sails
cracked and lashed out strips in the big wind.
We saw death in that fury, dropped the yards,
unshipped the oars, and pulled for the nearest lee:
then two long days and nights we lay offshore
worn out and sick at heart, tasting our grief,
until a third Dawn came with ringlets shining.
What does this excerpt most suggest about the beliefs
of the ancient Greeks?
They believed that nature's strength was wholly
uncontrollable.
They believed that nature's wrath could never be
overcome.
They believed that the gods were frequently unfair in
their actions.
They believed that the gods often punished people
for acting badly.

Answer 1

The ancient Greeks believed that nature's strength was uncontrollable.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from The Odyssey suggests that the ancient Greeks believed that nature's strength was wholly uncontrollable. The storm described in the passage is portrayed as a display of nature's power and its ability to wreak havoc on human endeavors, such as sailing. The language used, such as 'bows went plunging' and 'sails cracked and lashed out strips,' conveys the destructive force of the storm. This reflects the belief that the forces of nature were beyond human control and could only be survived or endured.

Learn more about Ancient Greek beliefs about nature's power