The Flea Poem Summary, Analysis & Exercise
The poem The Flea is a fine example of metaphysical conceit which has been composed by a renowned English poet John Donne........
Introduction The Flea is a poem that is all about one man trying to get a woman to have sex with him. The woman is probably a virgin. In his attempt to persuade him he would be his lover the man focuses on a flea, a parasite that has sucked blood from them both. He uses a logical argument (a conceit) to try and win her over. With their blood mingled now in the flea, the act being totally innocent, better not to kill it because that would be sacrilege. The poem The Flea is a fine example of metaphysical conceit which has been composed by a renowned English poet John Donne. Here, the speaker of the poem is a young lover who has intense sensual feelings for his beloved. He has presented an insect flea metaphorically to represent the fine concept of his love and desire. He persuades his beloved about his tiny desire like a flea. He informs about their mingled blood inside flea which is more than their physical contact. According to him, his desire is a minor one that cannot lead her towards…