'To the Gnat' Summary

The speaker, weary and seeking sleep, is plagued by a gnat. He begins by addressing the gnat, noting how its relentless buzzing and biting keep him awake. The poem details the gnat's habits, how it hovers, how its wings make a constant, irritating sound, and how it seeks to pierce the speaker's skin. The speaker imagines himself a giant in comparison to the gnat, and yet he feels helpless against its persistent annoyance. He tries to find comfort in the fact that the gnat will eventually tire, but the poem ends with the gnat still buzzing, leaving the speaker to endure another sleepless night. The poem is a humorous reflection on the annoyance of even the smallest pests, and the human struggle against the intrusions of nature.