Question

read the prompt, then type your answer into the box.
read the passage describing achilless effect on his men:
\thus while he roused the fire in every breast,\
close and more close the listening cohorts pressd;
ranks wedged in ranks; of arms a steely ring
still grows, and spreads, and thickens round the king.
as when a circling wall the builder forms,
of strength defensive against wind and storms,
compacted stones the thickening work compose,
and round him wide the rising structure grows:
so helm to helm, and crest to crest they throng,
shield urged on shield, and man drove man along;
thick, undistinguishd plumes, together joind,
float in one sea, and wave before the wind.
what is the meaning of the extended

Explanation:

The question seems to be cut off. From what's visible, it's about the meaning of an extended metaphor (likely the one comparing the men gathering around Achilles to a builder forming a defensive wall). To answer, we analyze the metaphor: the passage compares the soldiers' formation around Achilles to a builder constructing a defensive wall. Just as the wall is built with compacted stones to withstand storms, the soldiers (ranks wedged, shields/helmets/crests close) gather tightly around Achilles, showing their unity, readiness for defense (or action), and how Achilles' rousing (like a builder directing) makes them form a strong, cohesive group—their formation is as purposeful and sturdy as a defensive wall, emphasizing their loyalty, unity, and the powerful effect Achilles has in rallying them.

If the question was about the extended metaphor (comparing soldiers' formation to a builder's wall), the meaning is that Achilles' rousing speech (or presence) makes his men gather in a tight, cohesive, defensive - like formation, similar to how a builder constructs a strong wall to resist storms. This shows the soldiers' unity, loyalty, and the powerful impact Achilles has in rallying them into a formidable group.

Answer:

The question seems to be cut off. From what's visible, it's about the meaning of an extended metaphor (likely the one comparing the men gathering around Achilles to a builder forming a defensive wall). To answer, we analyze the metaphor: the passage compares the soldiers' formation around Achilles to a builder constructing a defensive wall. Just as the wall is built with compacted stones to withstand storms, the soldiers (ranks wedged, shields/helmets/crests close) gather tightly around Achilles, showing their unity, readiness for defense (or action), and how Achilles' rousing (like a builder directing) makes them form a strong, cohesive group—their formation is as purposeful and sturdy as a defensive wall, emphasizing their loyalty, unity, and the powerful effect Achilles has in rallying them.

If the question was about the extended metaphor (comparing soldiers' formation to a builder's wall), the meaning is that Achilles' rousing speech (or presence) makes his men gather in a tight, cohesive, defensive - like formation, similar to how a builder constructs a strong wall to resist storms. This shows the soldiers' unity, loyalty, and the powerful impact Achilles has in rallying them into a formidable group.