The famous opening line signals both war and a heroic man. Which is the correct interpretation of this line?

• A. Peace and a scholar
• B. War and a heroic man
• C. Naval skill and tragedy
• D. Fame and wisdom

Answer: (B)

In epic openings, a leader invokes the Muse to tell a tale focused on a great warrior and the upheaval he causes. The famous line directly ties the story to the wrath of a mighty hero, Achilles, whose anger triggers wide-scale conflict. So the line sets up both the war that follows and the heroic man whose actions drive the epic. That’s why the interpretation of war and a heroic man is the best fit. It isn’t about peace or a scholar, nor primarily about naval skill, tragedy, fame, or wisdom—the core signal is the clash of war born from a legendary warrior.