Question

from essay on man
know then thyself, presume not god to scan,
the proper study of mankind is man.
plac’d on this isthmus of a middle state,
a being darkly wise, and rudely great:
with too much knowledge for the sceptic¹ side,
with too much weakness for the stoics’² pride.
he hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest;
in doubt to deem himself a god, or beast;
in doubt his mind or body to prefer;
born but to die, and reasoning but to err;
alike in ignorance, his reason such,
whether he thinks too little or too much:
chaos of thought and passion, all confus’d;
still by himself abus’d or disabus’d;
created half to rise, and half to fall;
great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
sole judge of truth, in endless error hurl’d;
the glory, jest, and riddle of the world!
(from essay on man by alexander pope)
¹sceptic: skeptic or doubter
²stoics: stoic observer
which line best supports the claim that the poet uses contrast to illustrate the essential conflicts of life?

1. “the proper study of mankind is man.” (line 2)
2. “plac’d on this isthmus of a middle state.” (line 3)
3. “alike in ignorance, his reason such.” (line 11)
4. “great lord of all things, yet a prey to all!” (line 16)

Explanation:

To determine which line uses contrast to show life's conflicts, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: "The proper study of mankind is man" is a statement about study focus, no contrast.
• Option 2: "Plac'd on this isthmus of a middle state" describes man's position, no contrast.
• Option 3: "Alike in ignorance, his reason such" focuses on ignorance and reason, no clear contrast of conflicts.
• Option 4: "Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all" contrasts "great lord" (powerful) with "prey to all" (vulnerable), illustrating the conflict between man's exalted and vulnerable states, which are essential life conflicts.

Answer:

1. "Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all" (Line 16)