Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. Was this the face that launched a thousand ships And burnt the topless towers of Ilium? Which best explains how the underlined image contributes to the meaning of the passage? The “topless towers of Ilium” signify the holiness of the heavens; this parallels the holy nature of Faustus’s ambitions. The “topless towers of Ilium” represent the walls around heaven; the significance is that Faustus will not touch them, but will burn in Hell. The “topless towers of Ilium” were believed to be indestructible, but Helen led to their ruination; this parallels Faustus’s downfall. The “topless towers of Ilium” give the idea that heaven will be inaccessible to Faustus, because of his mistakes.

Answer 1

The “topless towers of Ilium” were believed to be indestructible, but Helen led to their ruination; this parallels Faustus’s downfall.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is the sentence that best describes the effect of the excerpt below. In this passage, the "topless towers of Ilium" refers to something that was meant to be powerful and indestructible. However, Helen and her sins led to their ruination. Helen is used as an analogy to Faustus's own tragic journey. Just like Helen, Faustus is pursuing a goal driven by sinful wishes. And just like Helen, this is likely to lead to his downfall.

Answer 2

The topless towers of ilium were believed to be indestructible, but Helen led to their ruination, which parallels Faustus’s downfall. This line best explains the underlined image contributing to the meaning of the passage. The topless towers of ilium was allusion to the Helen of Troy. She was very beautiful however abducted paralleling the fall of Faustus due to his over ambitious and greedy nature. Similarities are drawn of the fall of Dr. Faustus and the topless tower of ilium.