Question

xcerpt, the word \sear\ means \burn severely.\
es. show his eyes, and grieve his heart;
ike shadows, so depart!
w of eight kings, the last with a glass in his hand;
t of banquo following.
th. speaking to each of the apparitions
. thou art too like the spirit of banquo:
own does sear mine eye-balls.
-the tragedy of macbeth,
william shakespeare
read the passage. what does macbeth mean when he says, \thy crown does sear mine eye-balls\?
○ the crown is extremely bright.
○ he wants to become king himself.
○ he feels himself getting a headache.
○ the sight of the crown distresses him.

Explanation:

The definition given is "sear" = "burn severely"; in the context of Macbeth's reaction to the apparition (which resembles Banquo, whose line of kings Macbeth fears), the phrase describes emotional distress from the sight of the crown that threatens his power. The other options do not align with the play's context: the crown is not described as bright, Macbeth is already king, and a physical headache is not the intended meaning.

Answer:

The sight of the crown distresses him.