- Mark but this flea, and mark in this,
Look closely at this flea, and notice what it represents. Donne is drawing attention to a very small, seemingly insignificant creature, setting the stage for his extended metaphor. - How little that which thou deniest me is;
He tells the woman that what she’s refusing him (sex) is as small and trivial as the flea—he’s minimizing the seriousness of her denial. - It sucked me first, and now sucks thee,
The flea has bitten him first, and now it’s bitten her. This tiny act connects them physically, through shared blood. - And in this flea our two bloods mingled be;
Their blood is now mixed together inside the flea. In Renaissance symbolism, mingling of blood often implied deep connection or even sexual union. - Thou know’st that this cannot be said
Donne insists: You know this situation—the mingling of our blood in the flea—is not something that could be… - A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead,
…called sinful, shameful, or a loss of virginity. He’s arguing that nothing immoral has happened, so by extension, sex wouldn’t be immoral either. - Yet this enjoys before it woo,
The flea has taken pleasure—fed on both of them—without needing to court, persuade, or marry. It’s had its “enjoyment” freely. - And pampered swells with one blood made of two;
The flea is now fat and swollen because it carries both of their bloods—it’s been nourished by their shared essence. - And this, alas, is more than we would do.
Ironically, this tiny insect has achieved more intimate unity than they have, since the woman continues to reject his advances. - Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare,
- Where we almost, yea, more than married are.
- This flea is you and I, and this
- Our marriage bed and marriage temple is;
- Though parents grudge, and you, we’re met,
- And cloistered in these living walls of jet.
- Though use make you apt to kill me,
- Let not to that self-murder added be,
- And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.
- Cruel and sudden, hast thou since
- Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?
- Wherein could this flea guilty be,
- Except in that drop which it sucked from thee?
- Yet thou triumph’st, and say’st that thou
- Find’st not thy self nor me the weaker now;
- ’Tis true, then learn how false fears be;
- Just so much honor, when thou yield’st to me,
- Will waste, as this flea’s death took life from thee.
Poet: John Donne
Date of Composition: Circa 1590s – early 1600s
Form: Metaphysical Poetry – Written in rhymed stanzas with iambic meter
Structure: 3 stanzas, 9 lines each (tercets of rhyming couplets with a final triplet)
Context: Who Was John Donne?
John Donne (1572–1631) was an English poet, scholar, soldier, and eventually a cleric in the Church of England. He is one of the leading figures of Metaphysical Poetry, a style known for its intellectual complexity, elaborate metaphors (called conceits), and blending of physical and spiritual love.
During the time this poem was written, societal norms were extremely strict regarding premarital sex. Virginity, especially for women, was highly prized, and marriage was not just a romantic decision but also a moral and social contract. Donne’s poetry often challenges these conventions, exploring physical love as something intellectually defendable and spiritually significant.
Summary of The Flea (In Depth)
In The Flea, John Donne is addressing a woman (likely a love interest or romantic partner). He uses the image of a flea—a small insect that bites people and drinks their blood—as a metaphysical conceit to argue that the woman should not resist his sexual advances.
He argues that since the flea has bitten both of them and their blood is now mingled inside the flea, it’s as though they are already physically united. Donne claims this act didn’t bring shame, sin, or loss of honor—so, why should sex between them be viewed so seriously?
When the woman kills the flea, rejecting Donne’s argument, he flips the situation. He claims: see? Nothing terrible happened when the flea died—just as nothing dishonorable would happen if she gave herself to him. Through this clever, playful argument, Donne tries to dismantle social and religious taboos around virginity and sex.
Thematic Exploration
- Sexuality vs. Social Morality
Donne challenges the strict social expectations and religious restrictions on sex. He wants to redefine morality based on reason, not dogma. For him, the natural mixing of blood (via the flea) is used to represent how sexual union should not be stigmatized. - Metaphysical Wit & Argument
The poem is essentially a logical argument, like a miniature courtroom case. Donne structures it like a debate, presenting a claim, defending it, and even adapting when it’s challenged. His wit and ability to twist symbols show how persuasive and intellectual metaphysical poetry can be. - Body and Soul
Metaphysical poets often blended the physical with the spiritual. In The Flea, the mingling of blood isn’t just physical—it symbolizes marriage, union, and intimacy. Donne blurs the boundary between bodily acts and emotional/spiritual consequences. - Power, Persuasion, and Gender
The poem is also about power dynamics in romantic persuasion. Donne (the speaker) uses clever reasoning to persuade a woman to surrender to his desire, highlighting not just passion, but also the role of male intellectual dominance in early modern courtship.