Explain three important images in the poem, "The Flea". ( MEG 101 ) ( STUDY OF JOHN DONNE )

"The Flea" by John Donne is a complex and intricate poem with several layers of meaning. Here are three important images from the poem and their significance:

The flea: The flea is the central image of the poem, and it is used to represent the physical union of the speaker and his lover. The flea has bitten both of them, and their blood is now mingled within it. The flea is used as an argument in favor of the physical union, as the speaker argues that the flea has already done what they are considering, and that it did not harm either of them. The image of the flea is also significant as it is a small and insignificant creature, yet it is able to represent something so important.

The blood: The blood in the flea is a metaphor for the physical union of the speaker and his lover. The mixing of the blood within the flea is used to argue that they are already one, and that there is no harm in completing the physical act. Blood is also a symbol of life and vitality, and the mixing of blood in the flea suggests that the physical act will bring them closer together and give them a shared sense of life.

The shoe: The shoe is mentioned in the final stanza of the poem, where the speaker suggests that the girl should not kill the flea, as it represents their love. The shoe is a symbol of authority and power, and by removing it, the girl is seen as relinquishing her power and giving in to the speaker's arguments. The shoe is also a symbol of the social conventions that are keeping them apart, and the removal of the shoe suggests that these conventions can be overcome.