The Flea

Question 1

Who wrote the flea?

Answer 1

John Donne

Question 2

Context and when x2

Answer 2

Renaissance-
Was the Dean of a church, should he be doing this before marriage?
Men typically took control of women- normalised

Question 3

What was John Donne a part of?

Answer 3

Metaphysical poets

Question 4

3 quotes of the flea?

Answer 4

1. ‘Three lives in one flea spare’
2. ‘Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?’
3. ‘Mark but this flea, and mark in this’

Question 5

Three lives in one flea spare

Answer 5

Religious imagery- holy trinity
Stating it will be a holy experience
Their blood is already mingled so why can’t they be mingled

Question 6

Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?

Answer 6

Darker tone sets in
Question- reflect upon her decisions, it is a sin to kill
Their blood is no mingling- holds trinity is dead
Guilt tripping

Question 7

Mark but this flea, and mark in this

Answer 7

Repetition of ‘mark’ is commanding and manipulative
- is he the flea? - dangerous, latches on, codependency

Question 8

Structure of the flea x3

Answer 8

Structure is controlled and persuasive
Lyrical
Longer than sonnets