Read the excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey.
(Odysseus):
'We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care
for the gods' courtesy; Zeus will avenge
the unoffending guest.'
He answered this
from his brute chest, unmoved.
(Cyclops):
'You are a ninny,
or else you come from the other end of nowhere,
telling me, mind the gods! We Cyclopes
care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus.'
What theme is best revealed by this conflict?
It is important to use manners in new situations.
It is wise to know the enemy you face.
Guests should honor the traditions of their hosts.
Guests should offer gifts to their hosts.
The best theme revealed by this conflict is guests should honor the traditions of their hosts.
The best theme revealed by this conflict is that guests should honor the traditions of their hosts.
The best theme revealed by this conflict is that guests should honor the traditions of their hosts.
To arrive at this answer, we can look at the characters' dialogue and actions in the excerpt. Odysseus, as the guest, implores the Cyclops to have a care for the gods' courtesy and warns of Zeus's potential vengeance. However, the Cyclops dismisses Odysseus' plea and shows no regard for the gods or their authority.
This conflict highlights the importance of respecting the customs and traditions of the host when someone is a guest. Odysseus, representing the concept of a respectful guest, acknowledges the significance of adhering to the gods' laws and customs. In contrast, the Cyclops, portraying an inhospitable host, displays a lack of understanding or concern for the expected behavior towards guests.
Therefore, the theme that emerges from this conflict is that guests should honor the traditions of their hosts.