Question

The line Rage supplanted religious fervour most nearly means A) The intensity of Dantes' horror waned with the thought of vengeance from heaven. B) The intensity of Dantes' prayers increased to screams of prayers including blasphemies. C) Dantes' anger continued to boil over, however he became subdued with his thoughts of God. D) The intensity of Dantes' reliance on God was replaced with a loss of self control verging on madness.

Answer 1

The phrase 'Rage supplanted religious fervour' means that the character's deep religious passion is overtaken by extreme anger, which approaches a loss of self-control and potential insanity. The correct interpretation is option D, signifying a significant emotional shift from devoutness to uncontrollable rage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phrase 'Rage supplanted religious fervour' suggests a shift from religious passion to intense anger. This implies that the character's reliance on religious belief is overtaken by a strong feeling of anger, which borders on uncontrollable emotions and could verge on madness. When considering the context provided, where various periods of religious intensity are shown, such as the devotional style emphasizing the humanity of Christ, the religious fervor during Jonathan Edwards's sermons, and the religious turmoil like the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, the phrase indicates a drastic change in the character's emotional state from devout reflection to a more worldly and possibly destructive rage. Based on this understanding, the most accurate interpretation of the phrase is option D), 'The intensity of Dantes' reliance on God was replaced with a loss of self control verging on madness.'

Answer 2

The line most nearly means:

D) The intensity of Dantes' reliance on God was replaced with a loss of self control verging on madness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The line "Rage supplanted religious fervour" was taken from the novel "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas. Dante, the main character, has been unjustly arrested and is now doomed to spend to rest of his life in prison, away from his former life and the woman he loved. At first, Dantes relies on his religious belief to try and overcome the maddening depression that haunts him. He prays over and over again. However, he eventually exchanges faith for wrath, losing control, cursing, throwing himself against the walls. It seems that God will not act, and that men are are all evil. Dantes begins to imagine his persecutors being tortured and dying.