"Translate" the following passage from Common Sense into a more modern interpretation of what Thomas Paine was trying to say. "Small islands, not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island. In no instance hath nature made the satellite larger than its primary planet; and as England and America. . . reverse the common order of nature, it is evident that they belong to different systems. England to Europe: America to itself. . . ."

the flooding of the nile was not a perfect occurrence. this gave rise to the belief in the gods and a highly stratified social structure. at the top of the social structure were gods such as ra and osiris because the egyptians believed that they controlled the universe. the egyptians tried their best to the gods because if they were happy, then the nile would flood producing an abundance of crops and preventing famine. after the gods came the pharaohs in social status. the egyptian people believed the pharaoh to be a god in mortal form. they had absolute power over the dominion which required protection through the of government officials and soldiers. the rest of the people’s status went in the order of scribes, merchants, artisans, farmers, and finally slaves.

what figures of speech are used in these lines from shakespeare's sonnet 29? "haply i think on thee and then my state,/ like to the lark at break of day arising/ from sullen earth, sings hymns

what figures of speech are used in these lines from shakespeare's sonnet 29? "haply i think on thee and then my state,/ like to the lark at break of day arising/ from sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate."

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kimberleemay enotes educator| certified educator

the speaker is distressed about his fate, but when he thinks of his love, his condition improves.

the condition improving is then compared in a simile:

his mood improves and gets better "like to the lark at break of day " like a lark rising into the skies. the simile is comparing his mood to a lark soaring.

there's also examples of personification, sullen is an adjective that describes a human characteristic. once the poet establishes the simile, he extends the speaker's "mood" sings.  

hyperbole is exemplified by the idea of his mood improving enough to reach heaven's gate.

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