Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
[Same Passage as Above]
“He was holding the earrings up to his ears now, turning them this way and that, pursing his lips, playing at girlishness.”
What do you infer as the most probable reason for Achilles’ behaviour?
- AAchilles was selecting an ideal gift for Lycomedes.
- BAchilles was in charge of selecting the best accessories for war.
- CAchilles was in a woman’s disguise and was playing his part.
- DAchilles was playing the part of an ideal host.
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Based on classic mythological context reflected in this literary snippet (from The Song of Achilles / tales of the Trojan War), Achilles was hidden by his mother on the island of Scyros disguised as a woman among the daughters of King Lycomedes to avoid going to war. The phrase "playing at girlishness" indicates he was maintaining his female disguise while being amused by the jewelry, pretending to belong among the girls choosing trinkets. Thus, option C is the correct inference.