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

Cruel and sudden, hast thou since
Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?

an injury the speaker's beloved incurred as he wooed her

the shared blood of the speaker and his beloved in the flea

the loss of the beloved's innocence symbolized by the flea

the beloved's sudden cruel treatment of the speaker

Question

What does the phrase "purpled thy nail" refer to in this excerpt from "The Flea" by John Donne?


Cruel and sudden, hast thou since
Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?




an injury the speaker's beloved incurred as he wooed her



the shared blood of the speaker and his beloved in the flea




the loss of the beloved's innocence symbolized by the flea



the beloved's sudden cruel treatment of the speaker

anonymous · Answer

@TorilovesVampires

saucvi · Answer

I believe it is C because later in that stanza, the beloved is obviously represented by the flea. Also the theme of the poem is sex and virtue, the loss of innocence is key.

anonymous · Answer

I was thinking the same actually but ill go with it and see how it turns out! thanks!

saucvi · Answer

good luck. Also do you mind giving me a medal?