The phrase “Move like a monarch” presents one of those delightfully perplexing crossword clues that can stop even seasoned solvers in their tracks, prompting a delightful dive into semantics and imagery. At first glance, the very brevity of the clue belies the depth of thought it demands, making it a stellar example of clever wordplay often found in a daily crossword.
The power of this particular crossword clue lies in the inherent ambiguity of the word “monarch.” For many, the initial mental image conjured is that of royalty: a king, a queen, or an emperor. How does such a figure move? We might envision a stately procession, a deliberate and dignified walk down a grand hall, perhaps a regal stride imbued with authority and an almost ceremonial grace. Their movements are often perceived as measured, unhurried, reflecting their supreme status. There’s a gravitas to every step, a sense of inherent power that commands respect and attention without haste. One might picture a sweeping gesture, a slow turn of the head, or a majestic progress across a stage or throne room, each action carefully considered and performed with an air of absolute command. This interpretation alone offers a rich tapestry of descriptive verbs that could potentially fit the bill for this challenging crossword clue.
However, the beauty of “Move like a monarch” as a crossword clue is its masterful exploitation of a homograph. Beyond the crowned head of state, the word “monarch” also refers to a specific, iconic creature of the natural world: the monarch butterfly. Immediately, the entire landscape of potential movement shifts dramatically. Instead of heavy robes and deliberate steps, we are transported to a realm of lightness, agility, and aerial ballet. A monarch butterfly’s movement is characterized by its delicate fluttering, its effortless drifting on air currents, its soaring migrations across vast distances. There’s a delicate, almost ethereal quality to its passage through the air, a graceful dance of wings that seems to defy gravity with every beat. It’s a movement of freedom, beauty, and often, incredible endurance, especially during its famous seasonal journeys. This second interpretation offers an entirely different set of verbs and adverbs, all equally plausible when considered in isolation as part of a word puzzle.
The brilliance of a crossword clue like “Move like a monarch” is how it forces the solver to hold these two disparate images in their mind simultaneously. One is heavy, grounded, powerful; the other is light, airborne, and delicate. One suggests human regality, the other natural elegance. The task then becomes identifying the single verb that most elegantly bridges this conceptual chasm, capturing the essence of both a grand ruler’s impressive bearing and a butterfly’s gentle, compelling motion. Such sophisticated wordplay is a hallmark of truly engaging crosswords, pushing puzzle solvers to think laterally and consider every facet of a word’s meaning. It’s a testament to the art of crossword construction when a simple phrase can evoke such varied and rich imagery, leading to a satisfying “aha!” moment when the perfect word for this intriguing crossword clue finally presents itself. The exploration of such dual meanings is what makes deciphering a challenging crossword clue so rewarding.
Available Answers:
FLIT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Saturday’s Daily By Ed Sessa / Ed. Patti Varol