<span>"...that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, " I think this line suggests irony that those who are deeply in debt and very poverty stricken should consider selling their kids for food ie this suggestion is unexpected and surprising and shocking and probably deliberately tongue in cheek.</span>
This will either be power or reputation. Most likely power, with the fact that they are the accusers.
Personification, my hands hungry
Answer: i would go with diverse
