Why is Penelope so cautious when confronted by Odysseus after the massacre? a) She does not want to be deceived.

b) She is overcome with joy at seeing her husband.

c) He is covered in blood and she is frightened.

d) She has decided that she did not want Odysseus to return home after all.

I believe the correct answer is A. She does not want to be deceived.

During the long years that Penelope waited for her husband Odysseus to come home, many people have come to Ithaca pretending to be Odysseus. So she is not likely to believe anyone that easily when they present themselves as her husband, which is why she is cautious even around the real Odysseus.