Question

to buzz forth doleful lamentations In this phrase from the passage, buzz is an example of A) alliteration. B) diction. C) onomatopoeia. D) personification.

Answer 1

In the phrase "to buzz forth doleful lamentations", the word "buzz" is an example of an onomatopoeia. Basically, it means that the sound of bees flying or "buzzing" expresses a melancholy expression. This could be considered an onomatopoeia, but it also is used to say the bees "spoke" which implies that they "buzzed" as in it was their way of speaking, diction if you will. The whole sentence is "At length, as if comprehending their disaster, they settled down in clusters on a dry branch of a neighboring tree, whence they seemed to contemplate the prostrate ruin, and to buzz forth doleful lamentations over the downfall of their republic" which clearly says they SEEMED, which rules out diction as an answer. So, the answer should be onomatopoeia. Hope this helps!

Answer: C) onomatopoeia.