When it comes to backstabbing a quill ___ be ___ than a dagger?

The correct answer is may be, sharper because it completes the metaphorical phrasing highlighting the deep damage caused by written betrayal compared to a physical weapon.

• Step 2 (Metaphor Analysis): A 'quill' represents written words, letters, or exposes. Stating it can be 'sharper than a dagger' means that a betrayal executed through writing or leaked secrets can inflict deeper harm than a physical weapon.


• Step 2 (Modal Fit): The phrase 'may be' establishes a speculative, literary comparison that perfectly fits stylistic, proverbial sentence structures.


• Incorrect Options:
  
  
  
  • should, sharper is incorrect because 'should' adds an inappropriate moral obligation or requirement that breaks the descriptive nature of the proverb.
  
  
  • can, duller is incorrect because it defeats the underlying intent of the comparison, which aims to emphasize the high power of the pen rather than minimizing it.
  
  
  • will, weaker is incorrect because it reverses the core meaning of the literary phrase by claiming that writing has less impact than a blade.