What does Apollo's laurel bough symbolize in the excerpt?

• A. A symbol of fame and reward
• B. A symbol of mourning
• C. A symbol of wisdom
• D. A symbol of power

Answer: (A)

Think of Apollo’s laurel bough as a mark of earned honor. In ancient tradition, laurel wreaths crowned victors in contests and poets who excelled, and Apollo himself is closely tied to this symbol because of his association with music, poetry, and artistic achievement. So, the bough signifies fame and a lasting reward that comes from superior achievement. It isn’t about mourning, wisdom, or power—those ideas are represented by other symbols, while the laurel specifically flags honor won through excellence.