DBNP and The Flea

Knowt for the test on the poems "Death, Be Not Proud" and "The Flea."

Person who wrote both poems

John Donne

He wrote DBNP when?

1601-1610 I thinkkkkk

Holy Sonnet _

Holy Sonnet X

Why did he write DBNP?

Because he was dying.

Theme of DBNP

Death will die. God will defeat Death. ( may need to elaborate a little more)

DBNP type of line meter thing

Pentameter (Iambic)

Rhyming scheme

ABBAABBACDDCAA (Easier way to remember: ABBA ABBA CDDC AA)

What is a Death to slave to and explain each.

\~Chance: anything can happen and no one can know.

\~Kings: kings have the power to kill people

\~Fate: everyone will die 

\~Desperate men: if they’re really desperate they’ll kill someone

Death dwells with what?

\~Poison

\~War

\~Sickness

What is the fig. language of the poem?

The personification of Death.

What is a euphemism?

using a word or phrase to replace something worse or bad.

Paradox of DBNP

That Death will die.

Why shouldn’t Death be proud?

Death shouldn’t be proud because it will die just like humanity so we’re on an equal playing field. He’s no better.

Theme of “The Flea”

Premarital sex

Rhyming thing of “The Flea” (meter thing)

Pentameter and Tentrameter alternating.

Rhyming scheme of “The Flea”

AABBCCDDD.

Who was the Roman who wrote about fleas and sex? Why was he jealous of the flea?

Roman guy Ovid wrote about fleas and sex. He was jealous of the flea because it had access to his lover’s body whenever it wanted.

The entire poem is a ?

Conceit

The blood in “The Flea” represents what?

Life and honor

What is the symbolism of him saying that the flea biting her is insignificant?

The symbolism is her virginity is insignificant.

What does the woman killing the flea represent?

Her killing the flea represents her killing their blood baby and their love.

2 Religious imageries in “The Flea”

\~3 sins in killing three refers to the trinity

\~The flea is their marriage bed and the temple temple is a sacred place.

2 Vivid imageries

\~”Purpled thy nail, in blood of innocence.”

\~”Two blood mingled”

2 Euphemisms

\~”And pampered blood swells with one blood made of two.”

Euphemism for pregnancy.

\~”It sucked me first…” 

Euphemism for sexual imagery.

Why is the flea a parasite? How does it relate to sex?

It takes blood and doesn’t give. It’s a parasite just taking. Sex without marriage is taking whatever you want from the physical relationship without giving anything back.

What is the paradox in “The Flea” ?

If the flea is so insignificant, then why does he want to have sex with her so bad?

First stanza of “The Flea”  summarization. Also, list any additional symbolism found in it. (I include one)

The flea is not important so neither would them having sex. \n Symbolism: “And in this flea our two bloods…” their bloods form a blood baby.

Second stanza of “The Flea” summarization. Also, list any additional symbolism found in it. (I include one)

She tries to kill the flea. Killing their love. They are already joined more than married. \n Symbolism: cloistered is where nuns live. Nuns don’t have sex and he’s using religious imagery for virgins who haven’t had sex.

Third stanza of “The Flea” summarization. Also, list any additional symbolism found in it. (I include one)

She kills the flea killing their argument. You’re not gonna lose any honor. 

Symbolism: Purple and royalty 

\

2 Metaphors of “The Flea”

\~”As this flea’s death took life from me” (metaphor

\~The flea is a metaphor for sex