The Flea (poem)

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.

[1] The poem uses the conceit of a flea, which has sucked blood from the male speaker and his female lover, to serve as an extended metaphor for the relationship between them.

Thou know'st that this cannot be said A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead; Yet this enjoys before it woo, And pamper'd swells with one blood made of two; And this, alas!

⁠'Tis true; then learn how false fears be; ⁠Just so much honour, when thou yield'st to me, ⁠Will waste, as this flea's death took life from thee.

Donne is able to hint at the erotic without explicitly referring to sex, using images such as the flea that "pamper'd swells" with the blood of the lady (line 8).

[6] Achsah Guibbory challenged Low, saying "The Flea" focuses on Donne's capacity for arrogance and misogyny, making his poetry crude in today's society.

Donne's speaker enviously describes the flea's ability to suck his mistress’ skin and amalgamate his fluids with hers, which is how 17th-century society viewed sex.

The conclusion is full of images of death: “make thee apt to kill me”, and “self-murder” as the lady purples her finger when squashing the creature.

[9] Typography is defined as the style or appearance of printed matter in order to give a certain effect to best convey meaning in a poem.

Nayeli Riano [13] believes "The Flea" gives a new outlook to metaphysical poetry combining philosophical and spiritual approach that conveys an obscene word choice.

Metaphysical poetry, the natural that too is unnatural, is seldom direct and easy to decipher; making it intellectually stimulating to read.