Question

but i clung grimly, thinking my mast and keel would come back to the surface when she spouted. and ah! how long, with what desire, i waited! till, at the twilight hour, when one who hears and judges pleas in the marketplace all day between contentious men, goes home to supper, the long poles at last reared from the sea. answer the questions to analyze the epic simile. what is odysseus being compared to? a damaged ship a hardworking merchant a bright moon

Explanation:

In the epic simile, the description of waiting for the long poles (related to Odysseus' situation) is compared to a hardworking merchant who works in the marketplace all day and goes home to supper at twilight. The merchant's daily labor and returning home at the end of the day parallels the waiting and eventual return of the poles (or Odysseus' related situation). A damaged ship or bright moon don't fit the context of a daily - labor - and - return scenario.

Answer:

a hardworking merchant