Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version. Gilgamesh answered, "Dear friend, dear brother,
I cannot kill Humbaba alone.
Please stay here with me. Stand at my side.
'Two boats lashed together will never sink.
A three-ply rope is not easily broken.'
If we help each other and fight side by side,
what harm can come to us?"

The author includes this excerpt to establish Gilgamesh as

a compelling speaker.
a ruthless warrior.
a devoted servant of Shamash.
a long-distance traveler.

the price of our current war is high; it costs money and it costs lives.

but it does not cost our pride. it does not cost the guilt that would arise from knowing that we did nothing to intervene while our neighboring nations fell to despotic leaders.

it does not cost the terror of knowing that our allies are unstable. it does not cost the fear that we, too, will be next to fall.

which sentence most accurately explains why the speaker's use of the parallel structure is effective in this passage?

a. it underscores that disagreement will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly.

b. it makes the speaker seem like a decisive and capable leader.

c. it emphasizes reasons to fight and inspires listeners to aid the war effort.

d. it establishes the speaker's credibility by acknowledging the difficulties of war.

the correct answer is aesthetics.