Final answer:
The word 'thou' in the phrase addressed to the king is an archaic form of 'you,' referring to the king, thus making the correct answer option 2) The king. The speaker demands something concerning their father, showing themes of authority and familial loyalty in the text.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the statement 'O thou vile king! Give me my father!' the word 'thou' refers to the king, which makes option 2) The king the correct answer. The speaker is directly addressing the king with a plea that is evidently coated with a sense of desperation and frustration, demanding the return or the well-being of the speaker's father. The use of the word 'thou' is an archaic form of 'you,' used primarily in older texts such as Shakespeare's plays or ancient poems to signify a single individual that the speaker is directly engaging with.
From the provided excerpts, the concepts of authority, obedience, familial loyalty, and the consequences of defiance against power are explored. For instance, in 'HAEMON', the son expresses obedience to his father, valuing his 'wisdom as the helm to steer withal'. The CHORUS, again, underscores the importance of heeding to the king and to parental advice.