Question

my notes
word connections
multiple - meaning word
the word passionate has
several meanings related to
one idea: having or showing
strong emotions. can you
figure out the variations in tone
or meaning of this word? which
meaning is most accurate for
the context used in line 538?
obdurate: hardhearted or
inflexible
tempered: hardened
insolent: disrespectful
but exist forever, and no one knows
520 where they first appeared. so i did not mean
to let a fear of any human will
lead to my punishment among the gods.
i know all too well im going to die-
how could i not? - it makes no difference
525 what you decree. and if i have to die
before my time, well, i count that a gain.
when someone has to live the way i do,
surrounded by so many evil things,
how can she fail to find a benefit
530 in death? and so for me meeting this fate
wont bring any pain. but if id allowed
my own mothers dead son to just lie there,
an unburied corpse, then id feel distress
whats going on here does not hurt me at all.
535 if you think what im doing now is stupid,
perhaps im being charged with foolishness
by someone whos a fool.
chorus leader: its clear enough the spirit in this girl is passionate-
her father was the same. she has no sense
540 of compromise in times of trouble.
creon: to the chorus leader but you should know the most
obdurate wills
are those most prone to break. the strongest iron
tempered in the fire to make it really hard-
thats the kind you see most often shatter.
545 im well aware the most tempestuous horses
are tamed by one small bit. pride has no place
in anyone who is his neighbours slave.
this girl here was already very insolent
in contravening laws we had proclaimed.
550 here she again displays her proud contempt-
having done the act, she now boasts of it.
she laughs at what shes done. well, in this case,
if she gets her way and goes unpunished,
then shes the man here, not me. no. she may be

Explanation:

The question is about determining the meaning of the word "passionate" in a specific context (line 538). The key is to analyze the text around that line. The Chorus Leader is talking about the girl's spirit. Given the context of her actions (contravening laws, showing pride and contempt as described later), "passionate" here likely means having strong emotions (as per the given multiple - meaning definition), which aligns with her firm and unyielding (in a sense of strong - willed due to strong emotions) stance.

Answer:

Having or showing strong emotions.