1. Topic-
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2. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
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1.Grasp the purpose of the metaphysical love-poetry that Donne exhibits
throughout his work
2. Understand the importance of religious and sexual imagery
3. Explore the double meanings, connotative words, and figurative
language used throughout the poem, and understand the message being
sent by them |
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4. Materials and Aids-
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| A copy of John Donne's "The Flea" |
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5. Procedures/Methods-
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A. Introduction-
| "The Flea" is a complex insight of a seemingly persuasive argument
made by a young male towards his girlfriend about having sex. The
presence of a flea allows for the young man to present his case. The
flea has bitten both of them, so in the speaker's eyes, there blood
has been intermingled within the flea and they are already technically
married, so it can not hurt to have sex. |
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B. Development-
"The Flea" is written in third-person as a way of portraying the
conversation between the young man and his girlfriend. There is a
dramatic change in tone about halfway through; it begins as lighthearted
and conversational, then becomes very persuasive, dramatic, and logical.
Donne uses connotative words and double meanings sporadically throughout
the poem. In the first stanza, "How little that which thou deniest
me is;" refers not to what the fly is being denied, but to what the
man is being denied from the lady. The repetition of the word "suck"
makes a multitude of sexual advances.
In the second stanza, Donne takes a leap and combines sexual references
with religious ones. "And cloistered in these living walls of jet."
A cloister is a religious place of seclusion, such as a monastery
or convent. Donne, however, makes this a sexual reference to the intimacy
of them living married within the flea. He claims it would be sacrilege
to kill the flea, as a part of both of them live within it now, so
technically she would be killing three.
Throughout the poem, Donne also uses a decent amount of vivid imagery.
In the third stanza, a dramatic view of the flea's death is portrayed
when the lady "Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence" |
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C. Practice-
"The Flea" is written in third-person as a way of portraying the
conversation between the young man and his girlfriend. There is a
dramatic change in tone about halfway through; it begins as lighthearted
and conversational, then becomes very persuasive, dramatic, and logical.
Donne's poem is written well with the use of iambic pentameter and
rhyme scheme. In each stanza, the first two lines are rhymed, the
second two lines, the third two lines, and last three lines. The use
of this rhyme scheme and an internal rhyme that is shown every now
and then, creates a whimsical, easy read and makes the terrible, annoying
argument fun to read. |
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Checking for understanding-
Metaphysical Value:
Webster's Dictionary defines metaphysical poetry as being "highly
intellectualized poetry marked by bold and ingenious conceits, incongruous
imagery, complexity and subtlety of thought, frequent use of paradox,
and often by deliberate harshness or rigidity of expression"
How does Donne's "The Flea" fit into this category? |
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