The Flea by John Donne is a metaphysical love poem that takes the form of an erotic humorous story. The predominant theme of this poem is seduction which is illustrated by the persuasive vanity of a humble flea. The surprisingly original figure of the flea is used to demonstrate in an unconventional way that the two lovers are already united in the eyes of God and the Church, because the flea has bitten their bodies and mixed their blood. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The speaker claims that the flea has effectively transformed their two flesh into one, alluding to the sacrament of marriage, after which "a man shall leave his father" and mother, and shall be attached to his wife and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). By relying on this biblical reference, the claimant attempts to give his argument authoritative substance. As convincing as the speaker's claims are, his motivations are completely transparent as he attempts to convince his wife that giving up her virginity would not be a disgrace in the sanctified circumstances provided by the chip. The tone of the poem is very ironic, dramatic and absurd. amusing. Absent are the extravagant declarations of devotion and eternal fidelity that are typical of love poetry. Instead, the unorthodox and creative speaker offers philosophical and theological arguments that rely on the absurd authority that their union has already been consummated in the flea's little body. The direct narrative of the poem changes tempo throughout the three stanzas. The first stanza is contemplative and whimsical, moving slowly at a pace that could be likened to sexual foreplay. Donne uses words such as "sucked" and "swell" giving a strong impression of the speaker's sexual desires even though it is only the flea whose desires are being satisfied. The sexual references are especially obvious considering that in this period, a written "s" looked a lot like the letter "f", rendering the phrase "First it sucked me, and now you suck yourself" positively obscene. even more deliciously ridiculous when the lady is about to strike the flea and the speaker tries to convince her of the heinous nature of this action. He states that by killing the flea she will also be guilty of killing him, guilty of self-murder as well as guilty of "sacrilege" by destroying the sacred union or marital bond which he claims is embodied in the chip. As the reduction to absurdity of his argument develops, so does the rhythm of the poem, imitating the sexual act. Undeterred, the lady kills the insect in a climactic shot and the flea's "cruel and sudden" death parallels the sexual liberation often euphemized in the Renaissance as "la petite mort" or "the little death." The third stanza slows again, the tempo akin to a post-coital quietude, as the speaker considers the fate of the flea and during which he completely reverses his argument. Undeterred by the "death" of their union, he and his lover, the speaker observes that the premature disappearance of the flea was after all of no great importance and that "there is neither you nor me the weakest now.” As such, he extrapolates that surely this means that if she gave up her virginity, they would also find that it would have no more serious consequences than the death of the flea. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper from our expert now. authors.Get a custom essay The chip is a wonderful example of Donne's confident and finely skillful application of a bold metaphor that permeates.