'The Flea' by John Donne
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Mark but this flea, and mark in this,
How little that which thou deny'st me is;
It sucked me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea our two bloods mingled be;
Thou know'st that this cannot be said
A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead;
Yet this enjoys before it woo,
And pampered swells with one blood made of two,
And this, alas, is more than we would do.
Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare,
Where we almost, yea, more than married are.
This flea is you and I, and this
Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is;
Though parents grudge, and you, w'are met,
And cloistered in these living walls of jet.
Though use make you apt to kill me,
Let not to that, self-murder added be,
And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.
Cruel and sudden, hast thou since
Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?
Wherein could this flea guilty be,
Except in that drop which it sucked from thee?
Yet thou triumph'st and say'st that thou
Find'st not thyself, nor me the weaker now;
'Tis true, then learn how false fears be:
Just so much honor, when thou yield'st to me,
Will waste, as this flea's death took life from thee.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Flea: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
The Flea by John Donne is one of the most famous poems in the English language. It is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry, which combines wit, erudition, and sensual imagery to explore the themes of love, sex, and marriage. Despite its age (it was written in the early 17th century), The Flea remains popular and relevant today, thanks to its timeless themes and its brilliant verse.
The Flea: A Summary
The Flea is a poem that consists of three stanzas, each of nine lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a lively and rhythmic feel. The poem is addressed to a woman whom the speaker is trying to persuade to have sex with him. The speaker uses a flea as a metaphor for their union, arguing that if the flea can suck blood from both of them, then they are already united in a sense. The speaker argues that killing the flea would be like killing their love, and that the woman should therefore give in to his advances.
The Flea: An Interpretation
On the surface, The Flea may seem like a light-hearted and humorous poem about a man trying to seduce a woman. However, a closer examination reveals that the poem is actually a complex exploration of the themes of love, sex, and marriage. The poem is a perfect example of metaphysical poetry, which was a popular genre in the 17th century that combined intellectual wit with sensual imagery.
At the heart of The Flea is the idea that physical intimacy is a natural and inevitable part of human relationships. The speaker uses the flea as a metaphor for their union, arguing that the flea has already united them in a sense by sucking blood from both of them. The flea also represents the idea that love and sex are not separate from each other, but are in fact intimately connected. The poem challenges the traditional view of sex as a sinful and shameful act, and instead celebrates it as a natural and beautiful expression of love.
The poem also explores the theme of marriage, which was a central concern in Donne's time. The speaker argues that killing the flea would be like killing their love, suggesting that their union is already as strong as a marriage. This idea challenges the traditional view of marriage as a formal and legal contract, and instead suggests that love and commitment can exist outside of the institution of marriage.
In addition to its exploration of love, sex, and marriage, The Flea is also a brilliant example of metaphysical poetry. The poem is full of intellectual wit and playful language, with puns and double meanings scattered throughout. The speaker's argument is clever and persuasive, using the flea as a metaphor to make a larger point about the nature of love and sex.
The Flea: A Literary Criticism
The Flea has been praised for its wit, its sensual imagery, and its exploration of complex themes. Critics have noted the poem's use of metaphysical conceits, which are extended metaphors that compare two seemingly unrelated things. In The Flea, the flea is used as a metaphor for love and physical intimacy, challenging traditional views of sex as sinful and shameful.
The poem has also been praised for its use of iambic tetrameter, which gives it a lively and rhythmic feel. The poem's structure, with three stanzas of nine lines each, creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The poem's use of rhyme and repetition also adds to its musicality, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
The Flea has been interpreted in many different ways over the years. Some critics have seen the poem as a celebration of physical intimacy and a rejection of traditional views of sex and love. Others have seen it as a critique of the speaker's manipulation and his attempt to pressure the woman into having sex with him. Still others have seen it as a commentary on the nature of marriage and commitment.
Conclusion
The Flea is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that explores the themes of love, sex, and marriage. The poem challenges traditional views of sex as sinful and shameful, and celebrates physical intimacy as a natural and beautiful expression of love. The poem's use of metaphor, wit, and sensual imagery make it a delight to read, while its exploration of complex themes make it a work of lasting importance. The Flea remains a popular and relevant poem today, a testament to its timeless themes and its brilliant verse.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Flea by John Donne: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
John Donne, the renowned metaphysical poet, is known for his complex and intricate use of metaphors and conceits in his poetry. One of his most famous poems, The Flea, is a perfect example of his mastery of the art of metaphysical poetry. In this poem, Donne uses the image of a flea to explore the themes of love, sex, and religion. Through his clever use of metaphors and conceits, Donne creates a poem that is both witty and profound, and that continues to captivate readers to this day.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, trying to convince her to have sex with him. He uses the image of a flea that has bitten both of them to argue that they are already united in a physical sense, and that there is no reason why they should not take their relationship to the next level. The speaker says:
"Mark but this flea, and mark in this, How little that which thou deniest me is; It sucked me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea our two bloods mingled be;"
Here, the flea is used as a metaphor for their physical union, and the speaker argues that since their blood is already mingled in the flea, there is no reason why they should not take the next step and have sex. The use of the flea as a metaphor is clever and unexpected, and it immediately captures the reader's attention.
The speaker goes on to argue that the flea is insignificant, and that their refusal to have sex is equally insignificant in the grand scheme of things. He says:
"This flea is you and I, and this Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is; Though parents grudge, and you, we're met, And cloistered in these living walls of jet."
Here, the flea is used as a conceit to explore the theme of love and marriage. The speaker argues that the flea is their marriage bed and temple, and that their physical union is just as sacred as any other form of marriage. He also suggests that their love is so strong that it can overcome any obstacles, including the disapproval of their parents.
The speaker then turns to the theme of religion, using the image of the flea to explore the idea of transubstantiation. He says:
"Three sins in killing three, The flea, which sucked from thee, I now suck from thee, Yet thou triumph'st, and say'st that thou Find'st not thyself nor me the weaker now."
Here, the flea is used as a metaphor for the body and blood of Christ in the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. The speaker argues that just as the flea contains both his and his lover's blood, so too does the body and blood of Christ contain both human and divine elements. He also suggests that just as his lover does not feel weaker after the flea has bitten her, so too does the Catholic believer not feel weaker after partaking in the Eucharist.
The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging that his lover has killed the flea, and that their physical union has not taken place. However, he argues that the flea's death is insignificant, and that their love is still strong. He says:
"'Tis true; then learn how false fears be; Just so much honor, when thou yield'st to me, Will waste, as this flea's death took life from thee."
Here, the flea is used as a metaphor for the fear and hesitation that is holding his lover back from having sex with him. The speaker argues that just as the flea's death is insignificant, so too will be the loss of honor that his lover fears if she yields to him. He suggests that their love is more important than any societal norms or expectations.
In conclusion, The Flea is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that explores the themes of love, sex, and religion through the clever use of metaphors and conceits. Through the image of a flea, Donne creates a poem that is both witty and profound, and that continues to captivate readers to this day. The poem is a testament to Donne's mastery of the art of metaphysical poetry, and it remains one of his most famous and beloved works.
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