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Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.

But when he knew he heard
Odysseus' voice nearby, he did his best
to wag his tail, nose down, with flattened ears,
having no strength to move nearer his master.
And the man looked away,
wiping a salt tear from his cheek:

What does the dog, Argus, represent in this excerpt?

User Kendale
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In this excerpt from The Odyssey, the dog Argus represents loyalty, faithfulness, and the enduring bond between Odysseus and his faithful companion.

Throughout the epic, Odysseus is depicted as a courageous and clever hero, but he has been away from home, Ithaca, for twenty years due to his adventures and encounters with various obstacles. During his long absence, his loyal dog Argus has been waiting for his return, symbolizing unwavering loyalty and devotion.

The description of Argus in the excerpt shows the dog's feeble state, likely due to old age and neglect during Odysseus's long absence. Despite his weakened condition, Argus recognizes the voice of his master, Odysseus, and tries his best to show his affection and loyalty by wagging his tail. However, he lacks the strength to get any closer to Odysseus.

The moment is particularly poignant because Odysseus, who has returned to Ithaca in disguise, cannot openly reveal his identity to anyone at this point in the story. So, he silently acknowledges Argus's presence but cannot openly greet him. Instead, he sheds a tear, likely feeling both sadness for the dog's neglected state and a deep sense of emotion at seeing his loyal companion one last time before the dog eventually passes away.

Argus's loyalty and recognition of Odysseus' voice in his weakened state serve as a reminder of the enduring friendship and love between humans and their faithful animal companions. The scene with Argus highlights the theme of loyalty and the deep emotional connections that exist between humans and their beloved pets.

I hope this helped!

~~~Harsha~~~

User Rex Hardin
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In this excerpt from The Odyssey, the dog Argus represents loyalty and devotion. Argus is the faithful companion of Odysseus, the epic's protagonist. Despite being weak and frail after years of waiting for his master's return, Argus recognizes Odysseus' voice and makes a feeble attempt to wag his tail to show his affection. This gesture highlights the deep bond of loyalty and devotion that Argus has for Odysseus, even in his weakened state. The passage emphasizes the enduring and unwavering loyalty of a faithful friend, making Argus a symbol of loyalty and devotion in the story.

User Antirez
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