The Flea Question and Answers

What is the paradox in "The Flea"? Poem

In "The Flea" by John Donne, the paradox that the speaker presents concerns a flea that has bitten both him and the woman he is trying to seduce. According to the speaker's absurd logic, the flea has already accomplished a sort of marriage between them by mingling their blood, and so it is a small thing if now they complete the unity by having sex.

What are the features of metaphysical poetry in "The Flea"?

Metaphysical poetry in "The Flea" features the use of conceit, an extended metaphor that likens two very unlike things—in this case, a flea and sexual union. Donne's narrator argues that the mingling of their blood within the flea symbolizes their union, using this bizarre comparison to persuade his beloved. The poem's unconventional imagery and the juxtaposition of erotic love with a flea bite are quintessentially metaphysical.

What is the rhyme scheme and formal structure of "The Flea"?

The rhyme scheme of “The Flea” is aabbccddd. This scheme is used in each of the poem's three stanzas. The structure of the poem consists of three stanzas of nine lines, alternating between iambic tetrameter and iambic pentameter in the first six lines. In the final tercet of each stanza, the first line is in iambic tetrameter, and the final two in iambic pentameter.

John Donne's Argument and Use of Symbolism in "The Flea"

In "The Flea," John Donne uses the flea as a symbol to argue that physical intimacy is insignificant. He suggests that since their blood has already mingled within the flea, the act of physical union between him and his lover would be just as trivial and harmless.

What does the flea symbolize in John Donne's poem "The Flea"?

In “The Flea,” the speaker wants to get his beloved into bed. As a metaphysical poet, however, he employs a different method of seduction to most men. Drawing on his powerful imagination and skillful use of words, he uses a subtle extended metaphor to help him achieve his..

At which points does the tone shift in "The Flea"?

In "The Flea," the tone shifts multiple times as the speaker attempts to persuade his beloved. Initially, the tone is calm and pedantic, presenting a logical yet flawed argument about their blood mingling in the flea. It shifts to pleading in the second stanza, as he tries to prevent her from killing the flea, feigning horror. In the final stanza, the tone becomes mockingly horrified, with rhetorical questions and a sly argument minimizing the significance of their union.

The tone shifts throughout “The Flea” as the speaker pursues his argument and tries to convince his beloved to take their relationship into a physical realm. Let's take a look at how the speaker expresses and adjusts his tone.

The speaker begins with a calm, rather pedantic tone....

Why is a flea used as a metaphor for a sexual relationship in John Donne's "The Flea"?

In "The Flea," John Donne uses a flea as a metaphor for a sexual relationship to argue that sex is insignificant. The flea, being tiny and insignificant, symbolizes the triviality of sex. Additionally, the flea, having sucked the blood of both the speaker and the woman, metaphorically unites them, suggesting that their union is already achieved. This metaphorical union implies that sex is not a big deal, reinforcing the speaker's persuasive argument.

The speaker of the poem is trying to convince a woman to have a sexual relationship with him. Donne uses a flea in his metaphor in an attempt to help his speaker persuade the woman.

First, the speaker is trying to make the point that a flea is literally tiny...

Analyzing the central theme and metaphysical characteristics of John Donne's poem "The Flea."

The central theme of John Donne's "The Flea" is the poet's argument for physical intimacy, using the flea as a conceit to trivialize the act. Metaphysically, the poem blends wit and irony, presenting the flea as a symbol of union, where the mingling of blood represents a deeper spiritu