Question

After reading Edgar Guest's poem "The Things That Haven't Been Done Before" and "Perseus and the Quest for Medusa's Head," Arnold made this claim about what it means to be a hero:
The courage to make new discoveries and travel an uncharted path is what defines a hero.


Which piece of textual evidence best supports Arnold's claim?



"'You shall don my winged sandals,' said the strange prince, 'and they will bear you over sea and land.'"


"Someone has told them it’s safe to go

On the road he has traveled o’er,

And all that they ever strive to know

Are the things that were known before."


"The things that haven’t been done before

Are the tasks worthwhile today;

Are you one of the flock that follows, or

Are you one that shall lead the way?"


"The king of the land was both jealous and cruel, and soon he could think of nothing but how to shame Perseus and be rid of him forever."

Answer 1

Answer:

Option number three is correct.

Explanation:

Edgar Guest is an American poet, famous for his optimistic tone. He was also called People's Poet.

A hero is defined as someone who is valuable or appreciated by his achievements or good qualities or by his courage.

In the third option, the speaker contrasts two different groups: first one is described in line 3 of the excerpt ("Are you one...?") and the characteristics of the other group are defined in the other lines (The things that...) and the final line adds emphasis by asking a direct question. The semantic field is also related in the statement and in the excerpt (uncharted, new discoveries, path and undone things, lead, way), making the third option the right answer.