What directly causes the Athenians to hide in their homes?
A. The return of spring
B. The arrival of the Cretan soldiers
C. The arrival of Theseus
D. The oppressive rule of King
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: D. The oppressive rule of King
Explanation:
The Athenians hid in their homes because of the oppressive rule of King Minos of Crete, who had subjugated Athens following the death of his son, Androgeos. According to the myth, Minos waged war on Athens and imposed a harsh punishment: every nine years, the city had to send seven boys and seven girls to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur in the Labyrinth. This cruel and fearful demand caused immense grief and despair among the Athenians.
Rather than celebrating or going about their daily lives, the Athenians became withdrawn and sorrowful. The atmosphere in the city turned grim, filled with mourning and fear. The people stayed inside, not out of voluntary retreat, but because they were overwhelmed by hopelessness under Minos’s oppressive terms. This context helps illustrate just how serious and heavy the emotional and political climate was in Athens during this time.
While the return of spring (A), the arrival of the Cretan soldiers (B), and the arrival of Theseus (C) are important events in the myth, they do not directly cause the Athenians to hide in their homes. The root cause is the fear and grief imposed by King Minos’s demands and rule, which symbolizes tyranny and subjugation.
This reaction sets the stage for the hero Theseus, who later volunteers to confront the Minotaur. His courage contrasts sharply with the fearful retreat of the Athenians, emphasizing the impact of heroism against oppression. In summary, it is the oppression by King Minos that directly leads the Athenians to hide, showing how tyranny can break the spirit of a people until someone dares to fight back.