Question

Read the paragraph from the text. "And yet there are sadder things in life than that," returned the other. "Short as our time is, there is no man, whether it be here among this multitude or elsewhere, who is so happy, as not to have felt the wish–will not say once, but full many a time- that he were dead rather than alive. Calamities fall upon us; sicknesses vex and harass us, and make life, short though it be, to appear long. So death, through the wretchedness of our life, is a most sweet refuge to our race: and God, who gives us the tastes that we enjoy of pleasant times, is seen, in his very gift, to be envious."

a) God is envious of human beings.
b) Death is actually a gift from God.
c) Life is inevitably merciless and brief.
d) Life is full of disasters and hardships.

Answer 1

The texts present life as challenging, with death sometimes seen as a preferable alternative to suffering. They emphasize the struggles, decisions, and emotional states that influence how life and death are perceived.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passages provided from various texts share a common theme about the complexities of life and the human condition, portraying life as full of challenges and at times overwhelming. Several quotes reflect on the value of life compared to other aspects like death and misfortune.

For instance, one passage indicates that death can be seen as a refuge from the miseries of life, suggesting that the end of mortality is sometimes welcomed due to the suffering experienced during life. Another passage highlights how life's value is perceived differently depending on a person's moral and emotional strength, and it can be seen as a sad possession for those caught in between. The passages discuss the struggles and decisions people face, including the acceptance of death and the desire for a life free from pain and hardship.

The view of death as a sweet refuge and life as full of suffering suggest that, among these texts, there is an underlying belief that the hardships of life can make death appear as a relief or release.