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Question
What happens if we fall a prey to flattery? Give instances from the poem 'The Spider and the Fly’.
Solution 1
Title: The Spider and the Fly
Poetess: Mary Botham Howitt
Characters: Spider and fly
Theme: Prevention is better than cure Flattery is a deadly weapon to defeat the enemies. The poem stresses the idea that can be seen in social trends today. If individuals succumb to superficiality, bad things are not far behind. The fly is ensnared because of the superficial praises of the spider.
“To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you never give heed. Unto an evil counselor, close heart and ear and eye” The spider is able to ‘ weave a web’ to ensnare the fly because of the superficial praise heaped on it. When the fly gives into this praise, believing it as truth, the fly is destroyed. In society, if the people are giving in tempting words and praises then they fall prey to flattery. Just as the fly is destroyed by the spider, the people will also be affected by the flatterers.
” Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish”
Solution 2
Title: The Spider and the Fly
Poetess: Mary Botham Howitt (1799 -1888)
Characters: spider and fly
Theme: “Look before you leap”
Flattery is a deadly weapon to overcome enemies. The poem stress this idea. It is seen in society. If people succumb to superficiality, bad things approach them easily. The spider praises the fly excessively. The fly becomes prey to the flattery of the spider. The spider is able to ‘weave a web.
The spider ensnares the fly by his praises. Trusting the flattery, the fly gives in to destroy herself. There are people in the society, who yield to the tempting words fall prey to their enemies. The poet advises the readers not to keep their hearts, eyes, and ears open to the evil counselors.
“All that glitters is not gold”
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| Poetic device | Lines from the poem |
| Alliteration | watch his woods |
| Personification | |
| Repetition | |
| Imagery |
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