Passage IV (Shakespeare, King Lear, 3.4.101–08)
Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! here's three on's are sophisticated! Thou art the thing itself: unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.
Which best captures what Shakespeare means?
Pick an option to check yourself, or open the answer below.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Man can accommodate the same properties.
Explanation
Per the key: man 'accommodates' himself with the properties of animals (silk, hide, wool, perfume); stripped of them he is 'unaccommodated'.
Note: Option 1 states the idea at least as well; the key gives option 3.
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