This presentation is made as part of the Teachers day lesson. in this presentation the focus is on the poem 'The Flea' by John Donne, also focusing the metaphysical poetry and Donne's metaphysical Characteristics in this poem and the detailed analysis.

1. The Flea
poem by John Donne

2. Introduction
● Born in 1572 to a prosperous merchant family.
● Education at Oxford, law student at Lincoln's Inn.
● Passionate love affair, secret marriage, and career
setback.
● Ordained as a priest at age 43.
● Became Dean of St. Paul’s in 1621.
● Part of the 'Metaphysical Poets' group.
● Advanced the exploratory spirit of his time.
● Known for paradoxical images, inventive syntax, and
extended metaphors.

3. The Metaphysicals
● Samuel Johnson coined the term "Metaphysical poetry" to describe their
eccentric style.
● Metaphysical Poets, including George Herbert, Richard Crashaw,
Andrew Marvell, and John Cleveland, are known for their use of
paradoxical images, inventive syntax, and extended metaphors called
conceits.
● They startle readers and offer new perspectives by drawing from diverse
fields such as art, philosophy, and religion in their poetry.
● John Dryden first used the term in his "Essay of Dramatic Poesy."
● Metaphysical poets aimed to showcase their learning and used
unconventional figures of speech.
● Their verses sometimes lacked perfect rhyme and modulation, making
them distinct from traditional poetry.

4. John Donne as a Metaphysical Poet
● Complexity: Donne's poetry is intricate, bringing together diverse concepts.
● Intellectual Tone: It delves into psychological nuances.
● Emotional-Intellectual Fusion: It combines intellect and emotion, analyzing
personal experiences.
● Learned Concepts: Donne's works are rich in intellectual and elaborate ideas.
● Argumentative: His poetry presents evolving arguments, akin to legal
reasoning.
● Original Vocabulary: Donne uses unique vocabulary from various fields.
● Abrupt Beginnings: His poems often start abruptly and use unusual rhythms.
● Dramatic Form: Donne's poetry is dramatic, featuring dialogues and a
presentation of ideas.

5. "The Flea" - Poem Introduction
● "The Flea" is an erotic metaphysical poem, first published posthumously in 1633.
● The exact date of its composition is unknown, but it is probable that Donne wrote
this poem in the 1590s when he was a young law student at Lincoln's Inn, before
he became a respected religious figure as Dean of St Paul's Cathedral.
● Central Figure: "The Flea" is a love poem by John Donne that centers around an
unlikely protagonist, a flea.
● Surprising Choice: John Donne's selection of a tiny flea as the central symbol of
his love poem is unexpected and unconventional, challenging traditional
romantic themes.
● Steamy Testimony: The poem serves as a steamy and passionate testimony of
love, using the flea as a metaphor to explore the intimacy between lovers in a
unique and provocative way.

6. The Flea
Stanza 1
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;
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.
Explanation
● In the first stanza of "The Flea," the
speaker introduces a tiny flea that has
bitten both him and his beloved.
● He argues that the mingling of their
blood within the flea should not be
considered sinful or shameful, as it
symbolizes their intimate connection.
● This stanza sets the tone for the poem's
exploration of love, using the flea as a
metaphor to challenge societal norms
regarding physical intimacy.
● It emphasizes the purity of their love and
the naturalness of their physical union.

7. The Flea
Stanza 2
Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare,
Where we almost, nay 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.
Explanation
● In the second stanza of "The Flea," the speaker pleads
with his beloved not to harm the flea, which now
contains a mixture of their blood.
● He presents the idea that the flea serves as a sacred
symbol of their union, a "marriage bed" and "temple."
● Despite any objections from their parents or societal
norms, he argues that their union is sanctified within
the flea.
● The stanza reflects the speaker's passionate and
persuasive efforts to convince his beloved not to kill
the flea, as doing so would be akin to committing
three sins simultaneously.

8. The Flea
Explanation
● In the final stanza of "The Flea," the speaker observes that
his beloved has killed the flea by purpling her nail with its
blood.
● He acknowledges the flea's death but argues that it doesn't
diminish their love or her honor.
● He likens the loss of honor to the tiny amount of honor lost
when she yields to him.
● The speaker employs a perverse argument to persuade her
that their physical union has no negative consequences.
● However, this argument challenges conventional ideas
about honor and morality, highlighting the poem's
provocative and unconventional nature.
Stanza 3
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 thy self, 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.

9. Three Stanzas of Nine Lines: "The Flea" is
divided into three symmetrical stanzas, each
comprising nine lines. This structure
provides clarity and balance to the poem's
argument.
The structure mirrors the theme of the
intertwined relationship between man,
woman, and flea in the argument, visually
representing their interaction.
Rhyme Scheme: In each
stanza, Donne employs a
consistent rhyme scheme—
three rhyming couplets
followed by a triplet.
AABBCCDDD
This scheme enhances the
poem's musicality and
rhythm.
Unity and Complexity: The
structure underscores the
unity of the three elements
while highlighting the
complexity of the explored
themes, such as love, desire,
reason, and persuasion,
characteristic of Donne's
metaphysical poetry.
Structure of the Poem

10. Symbols:
● The Flea
● Blood
● Marriage Bed
and Temple
Metaphors:
● Love as a Flea's Bite
● Blood as a Token of
Love
Themes:
Love and Desire
Persuasion and
Argumentation
Sexuality and Morality
Paradox and Irony
Sacred and Profane Love
Physical vs. Spiritual Love
Elements in the Poem

11. Conclusions
● In "The Flea" by John Donne, we journey through a
provocative exploration of love, desire, and persuasion.
The poem challenges societal norms by using the flea as a
symbol of physical intimacy and unity.
● After the time of plague such insects like Flea, rats are
readed differently in the literature.
● Those insects have their position in literary readings with
differences through time periods.

12. Thankyouvery much!