Coquettes are common in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century poetry, symbolising charm, manipulation, and emotional play. Poets used the figure to explore gender roles, desire, and social performance, often mixing admiration with critique. The term highlights the performative nature of courtship and romantic power.

Coquette appears frequently in eighteenth-century poetry concerned with manners and gender roles. The term reflects anxieties about flirtation, power, and sincerity in romantic exchange. Poets often use coquette to critique emotional manipulation or social performance, though some portray her as witty and independent. It is useful for studying how poetry negotiates female agency within restrictive social norms.