Close Textual Analysis: “The Flea” by John DonneThe British poet John Donne is one of the best-known and most often-quoted of the metaphysical poets. Donne was a devout Christian but often used strange, arresting metaphors to convey theological truths. This can be seen quite clearly in “The Flea,” in which the small, biting insect that is apparently a mere annoyance becomes a metaphor for the joining of the poet and his beloved. “It sucked me first, and now sucks thee, / And in this flea our two bloods mingled be,” writes Donne (3-4). Even though the poet and his beloved are not physically touching, the ugly, even repugnant parasite still has an elevating, even beautiful role in uniting the two souls, although the poet’s beloved cannot perceived this.

Donne’s poem reflects his belief as a Christian that all creatures, however humble, have a dignity as they are created by God. But it also has a strong sexual overtone. Donne notes that he does not mind the flea biting him and mixing his blood with his lover’s blood, because this is one way the two can enjoy one another, without “sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead” (5). The poet...

“This flea is you and I, and this/Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is; / Though parents grudge, and you w’are met” (12-14). The lady apparently does not wish to defy her parents but the flea does its own bidding, regardless.
Lovers’ cruelty is a frequent theme in literature, and this poem is no exception. The poem concludes with the lady piercing the flea with her nail, killing the flea and drawing blood similar to how her cruel refusal draws blood from her lover’s soul. The lady has, “Purpled thy nail, in blood of innocence? / Wherein could this flea guilty be, /Except in that drop which it sucked from thee?” (22-23). As well as reproaching the lady for harming the flea, an example of her carelessness to her lover’s heart, Donne also refers to the piercing as a “sacrilege, three sins in killing three” (19). This is an explicit analogy between killing the flea and killing Christ. Christ’ blood is often said to…