Attempt a critical appreciation of the poem, "The Flea". ( MEG 101 ) ( STUDY OF JOHN DONNE )

"The Flea" is a poem by John Donne, written in the form of a conversation between the poet and his beloved. The poem begins with the poet calling the attention of his beloved to a flea that has bitten both of them. He argues that the flea has united them in a way that is stronger than the physical act of love, and therefore, she should not feel guilty about what they have done.

The poem is an example of Donne's use of the conceit, which is a metaphor that is developed at great length, often using elaborate and unexpected comparisons. In this case, the flea serves as a metaphor for their union, and the poet uses it to argue that their relationship is pure and innocent. The argument is developed in three parts, each of which uses the image of the flea to explore a different aspect of their relationship.

The first part of the poem establishes the conceit of the flea as a symbol of their union. The poet notes that the flea has bitten both of them, and that their blood is now mingled in its body. He argues that this is a sign of their unity, and that the flea has brought them together in a way that is more intimate than any physical act of love.

In the second part of the poem, the poet anticipates the objections of his beloved. He notes that she may object to the comparison of their relationship to a flea, and that she may feel that they are losing their honour or reputation by engaging in such a relationship. The poet argues that this is not the case, and that their union is pure and innocent.

In the final part of the poem, the poet takes his argument to a more extreme level. He notes that if she were to kill the flea, she would be committing three sins: murder, suicide, and sacrilege. By doing so, she would be destroying their union, and violating the sacred bond that they share.

"The Flea" is a poem that is full of wit and cleverness. The conceit of the flea is used to explore complex ideas about love, unity, and innocence, and Donne's argument is presented in a logical and persuasive way. The poem is a fine example of Donne's metaphysical style, with its use of elaborate conceits and complex arguments. It is also a wonderful example of how a seemingly insignificant object can be used to explore profound ideas.