Read the excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey.
"Neither reply nor pity came from him,
but in one stride he clutched at my companions
and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies
to beat their brains out, spattering the floor."
What does the simile add to the passage? Choose two answers.
A. a description of the Cyclops' home
B. a comparison between Odysseus and his men
C. an image of helplessness
D. a visual image of the Cyclops' pets
E. a comparison between the men and innocent animals
Answer (1)
The simile in the excerpt portrays the men as helpless victims by comparing them to 'squirming puppies,' emphasizing their vulnerability. It also highlights the Cyclops' violent nature, creating a stark contrast between the predator and his defenseless prey. The two key interpretations of the simile are its depiction of helplessness and its comparison of the men to innocent animals. ;
