This lyric ode by the ancient Greek writer Pindar was dedicated to the winner of a contest. Which statement best sums up the speaker's feelings?

Creatures for a day! What is a man?
What is he not? A dream of a shadow
Is our mortal being. But when there comes to men
A gleam of splendour given of heaven,
Then rests on them a light of glory
And blessed are their days.

Question

This lyric ode by the ancient Greek writer Pindar was dedicated to the winner of a contest. Which statement best sums up the speaker's feelings?

Creatures for a day! What is a man?
What is he not? A dream of a shadow
Is our mortal being. But when there comes to men
A gleam of splendour given of heaven,
Then rests on them a light of glory
And blessed are their days.

anonymous · Answer

A The speaker feels sadness that men are mortal and must die.

B The speaker feels joy at the winner’s heaven-sent glory.

C The speaker regrets that men are not glorified all the time, as gods are.

D The speaker feels afraid of the "dream of a shadow" that "is our mortal being."