I have found the lines and the options for this question from another source. Allow me to paste them here.
LINES: 1. Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, And burned is Apollo's laurel bough, That sometime grew within this learned man. 2. Swoll'n with cunning of a self-conceit, His waxen wings did mount above his reach, And melting heavens conspired his overthrow. 3. Her lips suck forth my soul: see, where it flies!-- Come, Helen, come, give me my soul again. Here will I dwell, for heaven is in these lips, And all is dross that is not Helena. I will be Paris, and for love of thee,
OPTIONS: A. Icarus and Daedalus (characters in Greek mythology who invented a way to fly) B. The Trojan War C. A symbol of fame and reward, belonging to the god of divination
LINE #1: This line alludes to (C) a symbol of fame and reward, belonging to the god of divination.
Apollo, the god of divination, wears a laurel crown. This laurel is bestowed to those who were victorious or those who demonstrated honor. In ancient Greece, the laurel was also awarded to victors in athletic and poetic competitions. "Laurel" was explicitly mentioned in this line. LINE #2 This second line refers to (A) Icarus and Daedalus, who were characters in Greek mythology who invented a way to fly.
"Waxen wings" alludes to the tragic tale of Icarus and Daedalus, where Daedalus tried to build wings made of wax for himself and his son, Icarus, to escape the island Crete. Unfortunately, Icarus flew too close to the sun that the wax melted and he descended to the sea where he met his death.
LINE #3 This line mentions Helen and Paris which were key figures of (B) the Trojan War.
The infamous abduction of Helen by Paris directly resulted into the decade-long Trojan War. Helen, who was then married to King Menelaus of Sparta, was influenced by Aphrodite to come with Paris to Troy. This greatly angered King Menelaus, who enlisted the help of the Greek army to get her back.
Sarcasm indeed can be confusing to some extent. Sarcasm can be understood as "indirect criticism", what you say manifest exactly the oposite of what you really mean with the comment.
Sarcasm cannot be prevented, it is a very "human" activity due to the high symbolism, and complexities of human interaction, sarcasm is expected to exist in one way or another.
Yes, the continuing comments in the U.S about fake news may have something to do with the country's growingly "autistic" impatience with sarcasm and criticism.
