Poetry - The flea

Question 1

Define profane

Answer 1

Treating something sacred with irreverence and disrespect

Question 2

What were the sexual politics like in the 16th/ 17th century?

Answer 2

• Sexual behaviour was discussed in documents of the period, it was always in the context of marriage
• In courtship and sex the male was expected to take the lead

Question 3

In what time period did John Donne live and write?

Answer 3

Elizabethan

• Late 16th century/ early 17th century
• The same period as Shakespeare

Question 4

What religion did John Donne grow up as?

Answer 4

Catholic

- They were still being persecuted at this time

Question 5

What religion did John Donne later convert to? and what was he like as a preacher?

Answer 5

Protestant

- Known as an emotional + eloquent preacher (was known better in his life for his sermons than his poems!)

Question 6

What is ‘The Flea’ about?

Answer 6

A man and a woman are together in private (bedroom?) and he is trying to persuade her to have sex with him.

Question 7

What year was ‘The flea’ printed in?

Answer 7

1633

Question 8

Describe what happens in stanza 1 of The Flea

Answer 8

• He points out the flea and uses it to persuade the women to have sex, as it’s a small and insignificant matter.
• He argues that their blood is mingled inside the flea as if they have already had sex.

Question 9

Describe what happens in stanza 2 of The Flea

Answer 9

• She threatens to kill the flea so he begs her not to because it symbolises them and their potential union.
• He warns that killing the flea would be like suicide (a sin)

Question 10

Describe what happens in stanza 3 of The Flea

Answer 10

• She has killed the flea
• He pretends to be outraged but then points out that they are still alive, it is all insignificant afterall, so they can go ahead and have sex

Question 11

Give 5 key themes, attitudes and ideas in The flea

Answer 11

• Battle of the sexes
• Gender roles
• Attitude to a woman’s virginity
• Love
• Marriage

Question 12

What are 4 features of metaphysical poetry present in The Flea?

Answer 12

• ‘Big’ themes (love, religion, morality)
• Use of conceit (the flea) manipulated at different stages of the argument
• Verse form –> controlled and precise
• Direct, fast-moving and dramatic

Question 13

How is incongruity laughter theory used in The Flea?

Answer 13

Absurd use of the flea as a comparison

Question 14

Give 4 features of comedy present in The Flea

Answer 14

• Battle of the sexes presented as comic
• Word play, double entendres e.g “flea swells with blood” –> penis
• Witty argument of the speaker
• Conversational tone varied with mock outrage, pleading, commands

Question 15

How does the rhyme scheme present in The Flea relate to its narrative?

Answer 15

The rhyme scheme is challenging and unwavering, showing that the speaker’s perseverance and arrogance

Question 16

How does the rhythm of The Flea relate to its narrative?

Answer 16

Like the rhyme, the rhythm also reflects the speaker’s unwavering committal:

• Couplets second lines are always longer, driving home his points
• Couplets also imply strong certainty and confidence

Question 17

What semantic fields are present in ‘The Flea’?

Answer 17

• Battle: “triumph’st” (him), “yield’st” (her)

- Religion: “temple”, “cloistered”, “sacrilege”

Question 18

What type of language does the speaker use in ‘The Flea’?

Answer 18

Commanding, direct address, colloquial tone, mock sincerity