(a) Why is the poet using the word ‘den’ to describe the spider’s web? (b) Why was the spider sure that the fly would come back again?

Question

Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions in a sentence or two.

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den, 

For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:

(a) Why is the poet using the word ‘den’ to describe the spider’s web?

(b) Why was the spider sure that the fly would come back again?

Answer 1

(a) The spider is like a lion in its web. So the poet uses the word.

(b) The spider has flattered the fly of its beauty, so he was sure it would come back again.