Question

in which of the following passages does the word \spectacle\ have a positive connotation?
i see the spectacle of morning from the hill - top over against my house, from day - break to sun - rise, with emotions which an angel might share
the morning was quite the spectacle, and everything that could have gone wrong had: the coffee had spilled, the breakfast had burned, and the traffic had been horrendous.
she made quite the spectacle of herself that morning, her tantrum had woken up the neighbors and caused her siblings to be late to school.
while the king enjoyed the spectacle of battle from afar, those fighting in the midst of terror and casualties had much different feelings about it.

Explanation:

• In the first passage, the word "spectacle" is used to describe the morning scene from the hill - top, which is associated with emotions that an angel might share. This implies a beautiful and perhaps awe - inspiring view, giving it a positive connotation.
• In the second passage, the morning is described as a "spectacle" because everything went wrong (coffee spilled, breakfast burned, traffic horrendous), so it has a negative connotation.
• In the third passage, making a "spectacle" of oneself due to a tantrum (waking neighbors, causing siblings to be late) is negative.
• In the fourth passage, the "spectacle of battle" from afar (while others are in terror and amidst casualties) is not a positive description of the battle itself.

Answer:

The first passage: "I see the spectacle of morning from the hill - top over against my house, from day - break to sun - rise, with emotions which an angel might share"