What does the old woman think about Arachne’s weaving?
A The old woman thinks that Arachne is overly confident and that she shouldn’t challenge the gods.
B The old woman believes that Arachne is in fact better than Athena.
C The old woman becomes furious that Arachne challenges Athena and marches away..
D The old woman doesn’t believe that Arachne is better than Athena and tells her so.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A: The old woman thinks that Arachne is overly confident and that she shouldn’t challenge the gods.
In the myth of Arachne, an old woman, who is actually the goddess Athena in disguise, warns Arachne about her overconfidence in her weaving skills. Athena, disguised as an old woman, visits Arachne and cautions her not to challenge the gods. The old woman acknowledges Arachne’s talent but advises that no mortal should compare their abilities to the gods, especially when it comes to a skill like weaving. Arachne, however, disregards this advice and responds defiantly, stating that her skill in weaving surpasses that of even Athena, the goddess of wisdom and craft.
Athena, offended by Arachne’s arrogance and disrespect, reveals her true form and challenges Arachne to a weaving contest. Both weave tapestries, and although Arachne’s work is flawless, her tapestry portrays scenes mocking the gods, which further angers Athena. In the end, Athena transforms Arachne into a spider, condemning her to weave forever.
The old woman’s role in the myth is to represent Athena’s attempt to dissuade Arachne from making a foolish challenge. The old woman’s warning highlights the danger of hubris, or excessive pride, especially when it comes to challenging the gods. Athena’s reaction to Arachne’s defiance shows how important humility and respect for the divine are in Greek mythology. Ultimately, the myth emphasizes that no mortal, no matter how talented, should ever presume to surpass the gods.