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Odysseus later disguises himself as a beggar when he returns to Ithaca. Do you think he was right in doing so? How was he received? Who would have pleased the gods and who would have angered them in the way they treated Odysseus as the beggar?

A) Yes, well received, pleased the gods
B) No, poorly received, angered the gods
C) Yes, poorly received, angered the gods
D) No, well received, pleased the gods

User Tobiash
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Odysseus's decision to disguise himself was a strategic move to assess the loyalty of his household, and while he was mostly poorly received, the kindness shown by some, such as Eumaeus and Telemachus, pleased the gods, following the Greek value of xenia.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Odysseus returns to Ithaca in disguise as a beggar, his choice is strategic and serves a purpose. By appearing powerless, he is able to observe who has remained loyal and who has dishonored his household during his absence. This disguise also protects him from immediate retaliation by the suitors of his wife, Penelope.

Odysseus was poorly received by most of the suitors, who treated him with disdain and even violence. However, there were a few like his swineherd Eumaeus and his son Telemachus who treated him well, even without knowing his true identity.

Such kindness would have pleased the gods, according to Greek ethics and values, manifesting hospitality and respect for strangers (xenia). Conversely, the suitors' mistreatment would have angered the gods, violating these sacred rules.

Considering this context and aligning it with the Greek cultural norms of honoring guests and the divine laws of hospitality, the answer to the question would be C) Yes, poorly received, angered the gods for most of the suitors and pleased the gods regarding the few who treated him kindly.

User Raigex
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