Why do you think Degas was particularly interested in painting figures in action?

we could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can.

i believe the answer is: a.  abstract forms were often used to represent human figures.

representing human figures in abstract forms is often used in the geometric period, not hellenistic  period.   during the hellenistic  period,   aesthetic value derived from creating arts which mimic the actual shape of a certain object or individuals.

hope this ! < 3