One way to interpret the gods in Greek myths is to see them as personifications of forces in
nature like the sea or lightning, or of abstract concepts like wisdom or forethought. Yet
Baldwin says this kind of reading is "an error" that takes the charm out of these tales and
reduces their "precious gold into utilitarian iron." Why might Baldwin believe this? What
happens to characterization or other literary elements in the story if we read the gods as
personifications instead of literally?

Personification of God could result in the use of some of literary elements in the story like similes and metaphors.

Explanation:

Baldwin thought that God even in Greek could not be personified as other elements such as fire, ice, sea and so on. But because of this believe of Baldwin, God was believed and thought just to be normal and not personified.

But because of this use of personification, there was use of some of the literary elements in the story like that of similes and metaphors in the story where there is some kind of comparison of God with personifications and other elements.

read this passage from the crisis. what rationale is paine using for going to war with great britain? my own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light. not all the treasures of the world, so far as i believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for i think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am i to suffer it? what signifies it to me, whether he who does it is a king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman; whether it be done by an individual villain, or an army of them? if we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference; neither can any just cause be assigned why we should punish in the one case and pardon in the other.

it is waged war against an army of countrymen

it would lead to independence from britain

it would be an offensive war

it would be a defensive war

it is the : d because is true