Read the excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey.
‘Why not
take these cheeses, get them stowed, come back,
throw open all the pens, and make a run for it?
We'll drive the kids and lambs aboard. We say
put out again on good salt water!'
Ah,
how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished
to see the caveman, what he had to offer—
no pretty sight, it turned out, for my friends.
What theme is supported by the excerpt?
It is important to see new sights.
People should indulge their curiosities.
It is wise to follow the counsel of trusted friends.
People should trust their instincts.
People should trust their instincts.
The theme supported by the excerpt is "People should trust their instincts." The narrator is presented with the option to leave without witnessing the caveman but decides to trust his instincts and stay to see what the caveman has to offer, even though it ultimately turns out to be a "no pretty sight."
To determine the theme supported by the excerpt, we need to analyze the content and context. In the excerpt, Odysseus is considering the option of taking the cheeses and leaving, but rather, he wishes to see the caveman. He goes against the advice of his friends and decides to explore further, which turns out to be a "no pretty sight."
From this, we can infer that the theme supported by the excerpt is "People should trust their instincts." Odysseus follows his instincts and curiosity instead of heeding the advice of his friends, and it leads to a less-than-desirable outcome.