Poetry · Chapter
The Gadfly explained
The speaker, having been stung by a gadfly, humorously and satirically imagines the gadfly's sting as a remedy for various annoyances and social ills, from a lame mare to a verbose parliamentarian, a lawyer's suit, a daughter's romantic fan
What happens
The speaker, having been stung by a gadfly, humorously and satirically imagines the gadfly's sting as a remedy for various annoyances and social ills, from a lame mare to a verbose parliamentarian, a lawyer's suit, a daughter's romantic fancies, and a scolding spouse, before returning to his main theme.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the King, overwhelmed by his own confession, reveals Bertha’s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Social Critique and Mortality
The poem uses the gadfly's sting as a metaphor to critique social nuisances and human follies, from political speechmaking to domestic scolding, blending humor with a pointed commentary on mortality and the triviality of daily grievances.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The speaker who has been stung by the gadfly and delivers the satirical verses.
Key passages
“The Gadfly he hath stung me sore— O may he ne’er sting you!”
The gadfly has bitten me painfully; I hope you never experience the same.
The speaker introduces the gadfly's sting as a personal affliction.
“Has any here an old gray Mare With three legs all her store, O put it to her Buttocks bare And straight she’ll run on four.”
If anyone has a three-legged mare, apply the gadfly to her bare rump and she will run as if she had four legs.
A humorous suggestion that the gadfly's sting can cure a lame horse.
“Has any here a daughter fair Too fond of reading novels, Too apt to fall in love with care And charming Mister Lovels, O put a Gadfly to that thing She keeps so white and pert— I mean the finger for the ring, And it will breed a wort.”
If anyone has a daughter who reads too many novels and falls in love easily, apply a gadfly to her ring finger to raise a wart, as a deterrent.
Satirical advice on curing a young woman's romantic tendencies.
