What creature is the Sphinx known to have posed riddles?

Master AMSCO Literary Terms and Allusions Test. Enhance your literary skills with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions. Equip yourself with tips and insights to ace the test now!

The Sphinx is a mythical creature famously known for posing riddles, particularly in the context of Greek mythology. The depiction of the Sphinx as "a woman with a lion's body" is significant as it embodies the dual nature of this creature: the strength and power associated with a lion, alongside the intelligence and cunning of a human. In the myth, the Sphinx would challenge travelers with riddles and devour those who could not answer correctly, making her both a guardian and a menace.

This connection between the Sphinx's appearance—a woman with a lion's body—and her role in mythology as a riddle-posing creature cements the choice as the correct answer. Other options do not accurately describe the Sphinx; for instance, while a lion captures part of her essence, it does not reflect her full representation, which uniquely combines human intellect with animal ferocity.

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