11. Why is the underlined simile from Part I of The Odyssey effective?

(1 point)

"I drew it from the coals and my four fellows gave me a hand, lugging it near the Cyclops as more than natural force nerved them; straight forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking, having men below to swing the two-handled strap that spins it in the groove."

• It shows that the Cyclops is as massive as a ship.
• It shows how skillfully Odysseus blinds the Cyclops.
• It shows that Odysseus used a drill to blind the Cyclops.
• It shows that Odysseus has knowledge of shipbuilding.

Well, if we examine this underlined simile closely, we can see that it's quite the drill! Get it? Drill? Because Odysseus is turning the stake in the Cyclops' eye like a shipwright turns a drill in planking. Hilarious, isn't it?

But let's get back to the question. The underlined simile is effective because it shows how skillfully Odysseus blinds the Cyclops. Just like a shipwright expertly uses a drill to work on planking, Odysseus demonstrates his precision and expertise in blinding the Cyclops. It's a clever way to highlight his actions and make a dramatic impact on the reader.

The reason why the underlined simile from Part I of The Odyssey is effective is because it vividly describes the actions of Odysseus and his crew in blinding the Cyclops. By comparing Odysseus turning the log in the Cyclops' eye to a shipwright turning a drill in planking, the simile emphasizes the strength, precision, and expertise involved in their actions.

To determine why this simile is effective, we need to understand what a simile is and how it functions in literature. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as." It is used to create imagery and enhance the reader's understanding or perception of a particular scene or action.

To answer this question, we can analyze the options provided and match them with the details in the simile itself.

Option 1 - "It shows that the Cyclops is as massive as a ship."
While the simile does mention a shipwright, it does not directly compare the Cyclops to a ship. Therefore, this option is not the most accurate answer.

Option 2 - "It shows how skillfully Odysseus blinds the Cyclops."
This option is a more accurate answer as the simile highlights Odysseus' skillfulness in blinding the Cyclops. It describes the turning of the log in the Cyclops' eye similar to how a shipwright turns a drill in planking. This comparison emphasizes the precision and expertise employed by Odysseus.

Option 3 - "It shows that Odysseus used a drill to blind the Cyclops."
While the simile describes Odysseus turning the log in the Cyclops' eye, it does not explicitly state or suggest the use of a drill. Therefore, this option is not supported by the text.

Option 4 - "It shows that Odysseus has knowledge of shipbuilding."
While the simile does compare Odysseus' actions to those of a shipwright, it does not directly imply or highlight Odysseus' knowledge of shipbuilding. Therefore, this option is not the most accurate answer.

In conclusion, the most accurate answer is Option 2 - "It shows how skillfully Odysseus blinds the Cyclops." The simile effectively conveys the skill, precision, and expertise of Odysseus in blinding the Cyclops by likening his actions to those of a shipwright turning a drill in planking.

The underlined simile from Part I of The Odyssey is effective because it shows how skillfully Odysseus blinds the Cyclops.