Question

select the best evidence to support the statement that patroclus relies on his father to know what to do. \i am patroclus, son of menoitius.\ my voice sounded high, and scratchy with disuse. \i am here as a suitor for helen. my father is a king and the son of kings.\ i had no more to say. my father had not instructed me; he had not thought that tyndareus would ask me to speak. i stood and carried the bowl to the pile of gifts, placed it where it would not topple. i turned and walked back to my bench. i had not disgraced myself with trembling or tripping, and my words had not been foolish. still, my face burned with shame. from madeline miller, the song of achilles. copyright 2012 by madeline miller

Explanation:

To support the statement that Patroclus relies on his father to know what to do, we look for evidence showing his dependence on his father's instructions. The sentence "My father had not instructed me; he had not thought that Tyndareus would ask me to speak" shows that Patroclus was unsure of what to do because his father (who he relies on for guidance) had not given him instructions for this situation.

Answer:

My father had not instructed me; he had not thought that Tyndareus would ask me to speak.