Final answer:
The two poems in question are both elegies that handle the theme of human existence through the lens of death. Despite their differences, the shared focus on elegiac reflection allows them to address the ordeals of war by depicting death, corresponding to option B.
Step-by-step explanation:
Upon reading two sixteenth-century poems, it is evident that they share a commonality in addressing themes related to human existence, as they both function as elegies. An elegy is a type of poem that commemorates or mourns a death, and while these poems may tackle the concept differently, they use death to explore human emotions and experiences.
Both poems make use of structure, symbols, language, and tone to create a particular effect and convey deep emotions associated with the loss of life, hence fitting the description found in option B: Both address the ordeals of war by depicting death. This is supported by the reference to the poems being elegies and the poems' examination of essential human emotions like love in the face of mortality.
Comparing and contrasting poetry allows readers to draw insight into the poets' experiences and perspectives. While different poetic choices and styles can diverge massively, the core theme of human emotion connected to death appears to be present in both works being analyzed. These commonalities between the poems provide a lens through which we can better understand each poem individually, and the human condition more generally. Therefore, the correct option is B.