Question

He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest; In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast; In doubt his mind or body to prefer. Write two to three sentences describing the effects of popes use of repetition in the passage.

Answer 1

Sample Response: Pope’s repetition of the words in doubt and or creates rhythm in these lines. The repetition also helps explain what Pope means when he says that humankind “hangs between”: he is saying that people are uncertain how to act because they occupy a middle place between two opposite states of being. The repetition of in doubt emphasizes that idea.

Answer 2

Pope uses repetition in this passage: "He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest; In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast; In doubt his mind or body to prefer." the words "In doubt" are repeated at the beginning of each short phrase.  This repetition emphasizes the fact that the character described is constantly in "doubt".  The repetition also portrays the character described in between two situations: in doubt to act, or rest.  Always two opposite situations divided by the word "doubt", like the option of having to take one of two roads but taking neither because of doubt.  This generates the effect of being stagnant and paralyzed by doubt.