He emphasizes that the mingling of their blood within the flea was presently occurring, explained through vivid imagery, such as "and cloystered in these living walls of Jet". ... However this flea had not waited for marriage and it was neither regarded as a sin nor a loss of virginity. ... The poem is in the context of a dramatic monologue or a conversation. ... He compares this with "sacrilege, three sinnes in killing three"; the lady will incorporate three sins into one. ... Although it was common for the "poem to partake in the extensive tradition of erotic poems centred on flea's", a...

• Word Count: 1246
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Batter My Heart is a very controversial poem about religion. ... These conceits were very frowned-upon in the conservative times when Donne was living, but today we can appreciate them for the ingenious comparisons they really are. Donne is writing this poem in desperation. He wants very badly to be forgiven of his sins by God. ... The poems have a universality that seems to live on throughout time. ...

• Word Count: 1594
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

So, the last stanza answers the questions that we've been wondering through the poem. ... The poem develops an image of a family supporting their brother, and son, before he goes off to fight in Europe. ... Throughout the poem, Cummings uses the word "etcetera," for many different usages, and parts of speech. ... Most importantly, the poem foreshadows his later poems, which put love on a pedestal, high above the power of conflict, or anything else on earth. ... Also, "i sing of Olaf," relates to a completely different poem Cummings wrote called "any man is wonderful."...

• Word Count: 4790
• Approx Pages: 19
• Grade Level: High School

The poem Beowulf suggests that Beowulf is the hero and Grendel is a villain, or the "bad guy."" ... He lives by a force that governs his will and gives rise to constant wickedness and sin. ... The fear and misery of the Danes is so great that it is told in stories: His (Hrothgar's) misery leaped the seas, was told and sung in all men's ears: How Grendel's hatred began, how the monster relished his savage war on the Danes, keeping the bloody feud alive, seeking no peace, offering no truce, accepting no settlement, no price in gold or land, and paying the living for one crime ...

• Word Count: 1278
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School