Which of the following choices best describes the language used in the extended simile comparing Odysseus to a musician as he strings the bow (lines 142-151, shown below)
"But the man skilled in all ways of contending,
satisfied by the great bow’s look and heft,
like a musician, like a harper, when
with quiet hand upon his instrument
he draws between his thumb and forefinger
a sweet new string upon a peg: so effortlessly
Odysseus in one motion strung the bow.
Then slid his right hand down the cord and plucked it,
so the taut gut vibrating hummed and sang
a swallow’s note.
A) harsh and strident
B) rhythmic and fast
C) flowing and harmonious*****
D) resounding and celebratory
B) rhythmic and fast
To determine the best choice that describes the language used in the extended simile comparing Odysseus to a musician as he strings the bow, we need to analyze the language used in the passage.
In this extended simile, the poet compares Odysseus stringing the bow to a musician playing a musical instrument. The poet describes Odysseus as being skilled in all ways of contending and satisfied by the great bow's look and heft.
The language used in the passage is filled with imagery and sensory details. It describes how the musician gently draws a sweet new string upon a peg, effortlessly stringing the bow in one motion, and then plucking the cord to make it vibrate and hum like a swallow's note.
Based on this description, the language used in the passage can be characterized as flowing and harmonious. It evokes a sense of ease and grace as Odysseus effortlessly strings the bow, much like a musician playing a musical instrument. Therefore, the best choice that describes the language used in the extended simile is C) flowing and harmonious.
Rhythmic and fast?
He was fast because he did it all in one motion and rythmic because he did it all in one motion as well
It is D resounding and celebratory
I disagree.
Did you ever figure this out?
Read and reread these lines:
... so effortlessly
Odysseus in one motion strung the bow
Then slid his right hand down the cord and plucked it,
...