Question

cassius. coming from sardis, on our former ensign
two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched,
gorging and feeding from our soldiers hands;
who to philippi here consorted us.
this morning are they fled away and gone,
and in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites
fly oer our heads and downward look on us,
as we were sickly prey. their shadows seem
a canopy most fatal, under which
our army lies ready to give up the ghost.
—the tragedy of julius caesar, william shakespeare

what is the denotative meaning of sickly?

• energetic
• in poor health
• extremely talented

is the connotation of sickly positive, negative, or neutral?

what is the denotative meaning of canopy?

what is a connotation associated with the word canopy as it is used in the passage?

Explanation:

Analyze the denotative meaning of "sickly"

The word "sickly" denotatively refers to being in poor health or weak. In the dropdown options, "in poor health" directly matches this literal definition.

Determine the connotation of "sickly"

The word "sickly" describes prey that is weak, dying, or vulnerable to predators. This carries a negative connotation.

Analyze the denotative meaning of "canopy"

A "canopy" is a high, overhanging cover or shelter, such as a roof-like covering. In the context of the passage, the shadows of the birds of prey form a dark covering over the army.

Determine the connotation of "canopy" in the passage

The passage describes the canopy as "most fatal, under which / Our army lies ready to give up the ghost." This association with death, doom, and defeat gives the word a negative connotation in this context.

Answer:

Question 1

What is the denotative meaning of sickly?
<blank>in poor health</blank>

Question 2

Is the connotation of sickly positive, negative, or neutral?
<blank>negative</blank>

Question 3

What is the denotative meaning of canopy?
<blank>a covering</blank>

Question 4

What is a connotation associated with the word canopy as it is used in the passage?
<blank>negative</blank>