Question

What does the phrase 'purpled thy nail' refer to in this excerpt from 'The Flea' by John Donne?

A) An injury the speaker's beloved incurred as he wooed her.
B) The shared blood of the speaker and his beloved in the flea.
C) The loss of the beloved's innocence symbolized by the flea.
D) The beloved's sudden cruel treatment of the speaker.

Answer 1

The phrase 'purpled thy nail' in 'The Flea' by John Donne refers to the loss of the beloved's innocence symbolized by the flea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phrase 'purpled thy nail' in the excerpt from 'The Flea' by John Donne refers to the loss of the beloved's innocence symbolized by the flea. In the poem, the flea is used as a metaphor for the union between the speaker and his beloved. The speaker argues that killing the flea would be the same as killing their love, as it represents their physical and metaphorical connection. The phrase 'purpled thy nail' suggests the act of killing the flea, symbolizing the loss of innocence or purity in their relationship.