Question 17 • English 2 Sem 2 (10013400) BCPS 2025-26
Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 7 of The Tragedy of Macbeth.[Macbeth.] He’s here in double trust:First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,Who should against his murderer shut the door,Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this DuncanHath borne his faculties so meek, hath beenSo clear in his great office, that his virtuesWill plead like angels trumpet-tongu’d againstThe deep damnation of his taking-off;And pity, like a naked new-born babe,Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, hors’dUpon the sightless couriers of the air,Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spurTo prick the sides of my intent, but onlyVaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itselfAnd falls on the other.—
Answer
A
“He’s here in double trust: / First, as I am his kinsman and his subject”
B
“Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, / Who should against his murderer shut the door”
C
“Besides, this Duncan / Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been / So clear in his great office”
D
“And pity, like a naked new-born babe, / Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, hors’d / Upon the sightless couriers of the air”
Explanation
The question asks for an example of a simile, which compares unlike things using “like” or “as.” Macbeth compares pity to “a naked new-born babe” and to “heaven’s cherubin,” so choice D contains the simile. The other choices describe Macbeth’s duties or Duncan’s character without making this kind of comparison.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.