Read this excerpt from “The Myth of Hercules.” Hercules was the son of the great god Zeus and a human woman named Alcmene. The goddess Hera did not like Alcmene and vowed to destroy Hercules when he was born. Hera sent two snakes to kill the baby as he lay in his crib, but Hercules was strong and strangled the snakes with his tiny hands before they could bite him with their sharp fangs. How does Hercules’s backstory in the excerpt help the reader understand a theme? Knowing that Hercules was born with superior strength explains why he is able to overcome great obstacles. Knowing that Hercules strangled two snakes shows the reader that Hercules has a cruel nature. Knowing that Hercules was born with superior strength explains why Hera wants to kill him as a baby. Knowing that a goddess wants to destroy Hercules shows the reader that Hercules will fail to accomplish his goals.

One element of lyric poetry is personal reflection. which lines in this poem most clearly illustrate that element? i wandered lonely as a cloudby william wordsworthi wandered lonely as a cloudthat floats on high o'er vales and hills,when all at once i saw a crowd,a host, of golden daffodils; beside the lake, beneath the trees,fluttering and dancing in the breeze.continuous as the stars that shineand twinkle on the milky way.they stretched in never-ending linealong the margin of a bay: ten thousand saw i at a glance,tossing their heads in sprightly dance.the waves beside them danced; but theyout-did the sparkling waves in glee: a poet could not but be gay.in such a jocund company: i gazed and gazed—but little thoughtwhat wealth the show to me had brought: for oft, when on my couch i liein vacant or in pensive mood,they flash upon that inward eyewhich is the bliss of solitude; and then my heart with pleasure fills,and dances with the daffodils.