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?
in poor health

does sickly have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation?
negative

what is the denotative meaning of canopy?
a cloth covering

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

mirror to reflect their pride
funeral shroud
protection from enemys swords

Explanation:

Analyze the denotation and connotation of "sickly"

The word "sickly" denotatively means "in poor health." Connotatively, it carries a "negative" association, as it describes weakness, vulnerability, and decay.

Analyze the denotation of "canopy"

A "canopy" denotatively refers to "a cloth covering" or an overhanging protective layer.

Analyze the connotation of "canopy" in context

In the passage, Cassius describes the shadows of scavenger birds (ravens, crows, kites) hovering over their heads as "A canopy most fatal, under which / Our army lies ready to give up the ghost." Because this "canopy" is described as "fatal" and hangs over an army about to die ("give up the ghost"), it carries the connotation of a "funeral shroud," which is a cloth used to wrap a dead body for burial.

Answer:

Question 1

What is the denotative meaning of sickly?

• in poor health (Correct answer)

Question 2

Does sickly have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation?

• negative (Correct answer)

Question 3

What is the denotative meaning of canopy?

• a cloth covering (Correct answer)

Question 4

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

• mirror to reflect their pride
• funeral shroud (Correct answer)
• protection from enemy's swords