What does the phrase "words are but wind" mean? "a man may break a word with you, sir; and words are but wind" william shakespeare, the comedy of errors a. words can move objects in their path b. words may arise strongly and suddenly c. words are not firm and dependable d. words can be heard but not seen

c. words are not firm and dependable

These words are actually a literary device called a metaphor.    Metaphors are basically comparisons of things that are unlike.  Metaphors are used, mainly, to give readers a sense of understanding when there may not otherwise be one.  What this means is that authors will compare something that may not be known to readers to something that most likely will be known in order to present the best image understood by the most readers.  Everyone will know what words (promises) are, and everyone will know what wind is.  But, to compare words/promises to wind means words/promises will take on the symbolic meaning of what wind is like.  For instance, wind can be felt, but one cannot hold it, per se--it is not firm.  Also, the blowing and direction of the wind is always uncertain, and it can never be counted on to continue blowing in or from a certain direction.  Thus, the words  “words are but wind” mean that promises really mean nothing because one cannot trust promises because they can be broken and people (the promisors) are flippant and are prone to changing their minds just like the wind changes direction.  

1. read the following excerpt from franklin d. roosevelt's "fireside chat 19":

on the other side of the picture, we must learn also to know that guerilla warfare against the germans in, let us say serbia or norway, us; that a successful russian offensive against the germans us; and that british successes on land or sea in any part of the world strengthen our hands.

remember always that germany and italy, regardless of any formal declaration of war, consider themselves at war with the united states at this moment just as much as they consider themselves at war with britain or russia. and germany puts all the other republics of the americas into the same category of enemies. the people of our sister republics of this hemisphere can be honored by that fact.  

the true goal we seek is far above and beyond the ugly field of battle. when we resort to force, as now we must, we are determined that this force shall be directed toward ultimate good as well as against immediate evil. we americans are not destroyers — we are builders.

analyze the effectiveness of this excerpt. how does it function within the speech as a whole? how does the structure of the excerpt to convey the speech's purpose and key points? support your argument with evidence from the speech. (10 points)