Read the following lines from the poem "The Divine Comedy."
But I had hardly started when I spied
a leopard in my pathway, lithe and fleet,
all covered with a sleek and spotted hide.
And as I faced it, it would not retreat,
but paced before me and so blocked my way
that more than once I had to turn my feet
The speaker describes the leopard as "lithe and fleet" most likely to imply that
(1 point)
Responses
the pathway is too narrow for the leopard to pass by.
the pathway is too narrow for the leopard to pass by.
the leopard appears graceful but can be treacherous.
the leopard appears graceful but can be treacherous.
the narrator should run quickly away from the leopard.
the narrator should run quickly away from the leopard.
the leopard is staring at the speaker with a hungry gaze.
the leopard appears graceful but can be treacherous.
The correct answer is: the leopard appears graceful but can be treacherous.
To understand the implication behind the description of the leopard as "lithe and fleet" in the poem "The Divine Comedy," we need to analyze the meaning of those words.
Firstly, "lithe" means flexible and supple, suggesting that the leopard is agile and moves with ease. "Fleet" means swift and quick, indicating that the leopard is fast on its feet.
Based on these descriptions, it is reasonable to conclude that the leopard is portrayed as graceful and nimble. However, as the speaker mentions that the leopard blocks their way and does not retreat, we can infer that the leopard's presence poses an obstacle or hindrance to the speaker's progress.
Considering these details, the most likely implication of the leopard being described as "lithe and fleet" is that the leopard appears graceful but can be treacherous. It indicates that although the leopard may be visually appealing and agile, it is also potentially dangerous or challenging to navigate around.