Final answer:
Leaps often represent athletic or acrobatic feats, exemplified historically by the Minoan bull leaping. Although such feats are possible, they are neither common nor practical, similar to the distinction between possible literary techniques and the practical use of vivid imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leaps often feature as acrobatic or athletic feats within various cultural or historical contexts. A well-known historical example is bull leaping, which is commonly interpreted as a ritualistic activity from the Minoan civilization, found in frescoes at Knossos on Crete. However, not all technically possible feats become common or practical. Climbing Mt. Everest or the viral videos of backyard obstacle courses for squirrels demonstrate remarkable achievements, but they do not represent normal activities or a practical path for the future.
Similarly, literary techniques, such as the vibrant imagery used by Clough in describing the motion of animals, emphasize the dynamic nature of the leap. In art, this dynamic action can be represented in pieces like the Bronze Bull Leaper, which displays a high degree of movement, a common trait in Minoan art. It is important to distinguish between what is possible and what is practical when considering the leap as a technique or concept.