The answer is B) stationary and proceed
Most likely it's C, thinking of "Othello" and of "Romeo and Juliet". Both Shakespearean tragic stories are centred on the tragic consequences of the others' 'evil' actions against the heroes, Othello, Romeo and Juliet.
"Or press an ear against its hive," it is saying the ear has a hive, making it something other than an ear, not saying it is like something other than an ear.
