Final answer:
Odysseus begins his epic with "Sing in me, Muse..." to invoke the divine inspiration of the Muses, reflecting the belief that the creation of art was inspired by the divine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The opening line of The Odyssey, "Sing in me, Muse..." indicates Odysseus's request for the divine inspiration of the Muses, the goddesses of the arts, who were believed to inspire creators and storytellers. This invocation is a traditional starting point in ancient Greek epic poetry, signifying the poet's reliance on the Muses for both the content and the form of the story he is about to tell. It was common in the epic tradition to call upon the Muses to ensure that the tale told was both accurate and compelling.
Therefore, the correct answer to why Odysseus opens his story in this manner is B) The Muses were believed to inspire the creation of art. This invocation reflects the ancient Greek belief that art, including the craft of storytelling, was not merely a human endeavor but was rooted in and guided by divine influence.