# The Gadfly explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by John Keats.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who has been stung by the gadfly and delivers the satirical verses.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/the-gadfly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters