A Connecticut Yankee Escape Plan
Why does Clarence refuse to help Hank escape from the dungeon in A Connecticut Yankee?
A. He is upset because Hank laughed at him.
B. He is afraid of a spell he believes Merlin has cast.
C. He fears what King Arthur will do to him.
D. He is a cruel person who wants Hank punished.
The best and most correct answer among the choices provided by your question is the third choice or letter C. The other reason does Clarence give for refusing to help Hank escape from the dungeon is that he fears what King Arthur will do to him.
In Mark Twain's novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Clarence refuses to help Hank Morgan escape from the dungeon not only because of the presence of too many guards, but also because he fears the consequences that King Arthur might impose on him. The fear of facing the wrath of King Arthur weighs heavily on Clarence's decision to not assist Hank.
Throughout the story, King Arthur is depicted as a powerful and authoritative figure whose actions are to be both feared and respected. Clarence, being aware of this, calculates the risks involved in aiding Hank's escape and decides that the potential repercussions from King Arthur are too great to defy.
Clarence's fear of what King Arthur will do to him showcases the complex power dynamics and feudal hierarchy present in the world of King Arthur's court as portrayed in Twain's novel. It highlights the characters' understanding of consequences and the importance of preserving their own safety and interests within the societal structure they inhabit.