Question

"To His Coy Mistress" Questions

1. Summarize the speaker's basic argument.
2. What are some effective images and why?
"The Flea" Questions
1. What does the flea symbolize? Discuss the effectiveness of the symbol for the speaker’s intent.
2. There are three parts. Summarize what is happening to the lady and flea in each part.
“My Last Duchess” Questions
What do you think happened to the last Duchess and why?

Why is the Duke discussing his last Duchess? Do his lines read as a confession out of guilt or prideful boast?
“My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun” Questions
How is this poem not a love poem? How is it a love poem? Which is it more of?

What does the last couplet mean?

Answer 1

Answer:"To His Coy Mistress" Questions:

The speaker's basic argument in "To His Coy Mistress" is that time is fleeting and they should seize the moment to indulge in passionate love and physical intimacy. The speaker urges the coy mistress to reject her hesitations and fears, emphasizing the brevity of life and the inevitability of ending as reasons to act upon their desires.

"To His Coy Mistress" employs effective imagery to convey the urgency and intensity of the speaker's argument. For example, the image of time as a winged chariot rushing towards them creates a sense of impending urgency and emphasizes the fleeting nature of life. The image of the mistress' beauty being preserved and revered by worms in the grave serves to contrast the transient nature of physical beauty with the timeless power of love and passion.