Question

To whom does the speaker allude in the second stanza of 'Dover Beach' to emphasize the timeless nature of human suffering?

• A. Homer
• B. Virgil
• C. Sophocles
• D. Plato

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Sophocles

Arnold references the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, who, upon hearing a similar sound of waves, was reminded of human misery. This allusion serves to connect the speaker’s sorrow to a broader, historical context, suggesting that human suffering is a constant and universal experience, transcending time and specific eras.