Question

which statement best explains the simile in this excerpt? the cyclops is compared to zeus because of his size. the cyclops is compared to zeus because of his power. the cyclops is compared to a mast, or flagpole, because of his surrender. the cyclops is compared to a mast, or flagpole, because of his size.

Answer 1

The cyclops is compared to a mast, or flagpole, because of his size.

The simile in the excerpt is "Cyclops...lay down like a mast among his sheep." He is not surrendering, but rather taking a nap because his belly is full of Odysseus' men and he's tired. The options that say he is compared to Zeus are incorrect. In the excerpt the men are praying to Zeus for help because the Cyclops is eating them. They do not say the Cyclops is like Zeus at all.

Answer 2

In the excerpt "Cyclops...lay down like a mast among his sheep.", the Cyclops is compared to a mast because of his size. He is not compared to Zeus (and it would be sacrilegious to compare a monster with the father of the gods); also, he is not surrendering. He is laying down because he has had his fill of Oydsseus's companions, not because he has been defeated.