Final answer:
Icarus's fate is tied to the literary device of foreshadowing. The poem by Clough uses strong imagery and alliteration as its most striking techniques. Figurative language serves as an artistic tool in literature to create immersive stories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question about what will happen to Icarus is indicative of an element of foreshadowing in literature, which is a technique where the author gives hints or clues about what may happen later in the story. In the case of Icarus, it often refers to the myth where he flies too close to the sun with wings made of feathers and wax, leading to his fall.
Focusing on figurative language and literary devices, the excerpt from Clough's poem demonstrates vivid imagery and the use of alliteration. Phrases like 'big bees their burly bodies swung' and 'Rooks roused with civic dim the elms' create a rhythmic sound and visual pictures that enhance the reader's experience. The imagery and alliteration contribute to the overall effect by creating a vivid and engaging atmosphere that envelops the reader into the poem's setting.
Regarding the general use of figurative language in literature, it serves as an artistic tool whereby authors employ various devices such as metaphors, similes, and descriptive imagery to create an immersive and vivid story. These elements help to paint pictures in the reader's mind, convey emotions, and lend depth to the narrative.