Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 58%

Which lines employ personification?

Rationale

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old time is still a-flying employs personification.

This line attributes human qualities to "Old time," suggesting that it actively flies or moves, which is a clear example of personification. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and the transient nature of time, effectively capturing the theme of seizing the moment.

A (About suffering they were never wrong, / The Old Masters) YOUR ANSWER

This line reflects the wisdom of the Old Masters regarding suffering but does not attribute human characteristics to non-human entities. It focuses instead on a philosophical observation rather than personifying time or suffering.

C (Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer) YOUR ANSWER

While this line illustrates a dynamic action involving a falcon, it does not personify the falcon itself. Instead, it describes a natural situation, emphasizing the disconnect between the falcon and the falconer without attributing human traits.

D (Without contamination doth she live / In quietness, without anxiety) YOUR ANSWER

This line describes a state of existence but does not attribute human qualities to the subject. It discusses living without contamination and anxiety, focusing on a condition rather than employing personification.

Conclusion

Personification occurs when human traits are attributed to non-human entities, enhancing emotional resonance. In this case, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old time is still a-flying" effectively personifies time, emphasizing its fleeting nature. The other choices, while evocative, do not meet the criteria for personification, as they lack the attribution of human characteristics to non-human subjects.

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