Question

Which choice provides the most accurate evaluation of how the poet's diction contributes to tone in lines 79–82?

1) diction: archaic language (look'st thou so) with ornate, flowery word choices (ancient / plague) evaluation: creates a lofty or poetic tone of condemnation, effectively characterizing the wedding-guest's reaction
2) diction: archaic language (look'st thou so) with ornate, flowery word choices (ancient / plague) evaluation: creates an exaggerated tone of dread or horror, effectively characterizing the wedding-guest's reaction
3) diction: archaic language (look'st thou so) with word choices suggesting torment or the supernatural (fiends / plague) evaluation: creates an exaggerated tone of dread or horror, effectively characterizing the wedding-guest's reaction
4) diction: archaic language (look'st thou so) with word choices suggesting torment or the supernatural (fiends / plague) evaluation: creates a lofty or poetic tone of condemnation, effectively characterizing the wedding-guest's reaction

Answer 1

Choice #3 most accurately evaluates the poet's diction and its contribution to tone, suggesting the use of archaic language and words related to torment and the supernatural create an exaggerated tone of dread or horror.

Step-by-step explanation:

To evaluate how the poet's diction contributes to the tone in lines 79–82, it is essential to consider the connotations of the language used in the poem. The use of archaic language and word choices that suggest torment or the supernatural (e.g., 'fiends'/'plague') can significantly affect the poem's tone. Choice #3 describes the diction as 'archaic language (look'st thou so) with word choices suggesting torment or the supernatural (fiends / plague)'. The evaluation of this choice suggests that this diction creates an exaggerated tone of dread or horror, effectively characterizing the wedding-guest's reaction. This choice aligns well with the use of such words, which are intended to evoke a strong emotional response and to elevate the tone of the text to something more profound or intense than mundane everyday language.

Answer 2

The poet's diction contributes to an exaggerated tone of dread or horror, effectively characterizing the wedding-guest's reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most accurate evaluation of how the poet's diction contributes to tone in lines 79–82 is option 3:

diction: archaic language (look'st thou so) with word choices suggesting torment or the supernatural (fiends / plague) evaluation: creates an exaggerated tone of dread or horror, effectively characterizing the wedding-guest's reaction.

The use of archaic language and word choices that suggest torment or the supernatural adds intensity and an element of fear to the tone. This choice effectively portrays the wedding-guest's strong reaction to the situation.