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 Cyclops can't be as big or as powerful as Zeus because Zeus is a god and can change size. It can't be the flagpole because flagpoles can't surrender. 

Answer 2

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.