Asked by unknown

The Ant and the Fly by Phaedrus

An Ant and a Fly were contending with great warmth which was of the greater importance. The Fly was the first to begin: “Can you possibly compare with my endowments? When a sacrifice is made, I am the first to taste of the entrails that belong to the Gods. I pass my time among the altars, I wander through all the temples; soon as I have espied it, I seat myself on the head of a king; and I taste of the chaste kisses of matrons. I labour not, and yet enjoy the nicest of things: what like to this, good rustic, falls to your lot?” “Eating with the Gods,” said the Ant, “is certainly a thing to be boasted of; but by him who is invited, not him who is loathed as an intruder. You talk about kings and the kisses of matrons. While I am carefully heaping up a stock of grain for winter, I see you feeding on filth about the walls. You frequent the altars; yes, and are driven away as often as you come. You labour not; therefore it is that you have nothing when you stand in need of it. And, further, you boast about what modesty ought to conceal. You tease me in summer; when winter comes you are silent. While the cold is shrivelling you up and putting you to death, a well-stored abode harbours me. Surely I have now pulled down your pride enough.”  

❓ The Question
Use “The Ant and the Fly” by Phaedrus to answer the question.

What identifies this story as an allegory? (1 point)

💡 The Responses (Options)
( ) It uses the ant and the fly to symbolize human traits to convey a message about the value of hard work.

( ) It explains why ants and flies are so good at annoying humans.

( ) It contrasts the points of view of the ant and the fly.

( ) It requires the reader to infer the theme from the dialogue between the ant and the fly.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
(X) It uses the ant and the fly to symbolize human traits to convey a message about the value of hard work.

Explanation: The insect characters represent human qualities (industry vs. idleness), and the story teaches a moral lesson—hallmarks of an allegory.