Question
Read these lines from Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130.”
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
What experience does the word reeks describe?
Responses
a bad smell
a bad smell
a quiet whisper
a quiet whisper
a frowning mouth
a frowning mouth
a soft kiss
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
What experience does the word reeks describe?
Responses
a bad smell
a bad smell
a quiet whisper
a quiet whisper
a frowning mouth
a frowning mouth
a soft kiss
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The word "reeks" describes **a bad smell**. In the context of the lines, it suggests that the speaker is noting the unappealing scent of his mistress’s breath compared to more pleasant perfumes.