What is the paradox in the flea?

'The Flea' does not necessarily present a paradox, but rather an argument with flawed logic. The speaker of the poem presents an argument to the effect of: 'our blood has mixed inside the flea, and sex is just the mixing of bodily fluids, therefore we have had sex already - it would do no harm to do it again!

What literary devices are used in the flea?

John Donne employs rhyme, alliteration, and religious parallels in his poem ''The Flea. '' The lines of the poem adhere to an aabbccddd rhyme scheme. Thus, every two lines rhyme until the final three lines of each stanza, which rhyme as well.

What is the analogy in the flea?

John Donne's poem, 'The Flea' is a metaphor for sex. The speaker shows a flea to a woman he wants to sleep with, and states that the flea has combined them into one by biting them both and sucking their blood.

What is the paradox in Donne's poem?

Paradox in Canonization

The title of the poem 'canonization' itself is a paradox. That is the underlying metaphor of the poem. Donne treats the theme of love in his poem but the title suggests a saintly thing. When we have a close reading of the poem we realize the theme of love is treated as sainthood.

What is the argument in the flea?

The speaker constructs a conceit of the flea to represent the union him and the lady would create while engaging in a sexual union, and he compares it to the Holy Trinity. He creates an elaborate claim that having sex is equivalent to religious worship; thus, he claims that having sex is a religious obligation.

The Flea By John Donne Analysis

What is the metaphor in the flea by John Donne?

Analysis of Flea by John Donne

He compares sexual intercourse to a bite of a flea and says that now their blood has mixed inside the flea. He also compares the inside of the tiny flea to the entire world, including the couple.

What is the death of the flea a metaphor for?

John Donne's “The Flea” compares the triviality of a flea's bite to the decision to have sex with someone. The speaker, a man, attempts to convince a woman to sleep with him using this strange and perverse metaphor.

What is the paradox used in the story?

A paradox in writing is a statement that appears to contradict itself but upon further inspection reveals a deeper truth, meaning, or joke.

What is paradox 3 examples?

Paradox in Literature: Terms & Examples

Hamlet: ''I must be cruel, only to be kind''. Animal Farm: ''All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. '' Catch-22: ''Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane, he had to fly them.

Is a paradox an oxymoron?

The main difference between an oxymoron and a paradox is that oxymorons use contradictory words whereas paradoxes use contradictory ideas. An oxymoron is usually just two words (sometimes one, as in “bittersweet”), but a paradox is an entire statement, usually a standalone sentence or even a full paragraph.

What is the personification in the flea?

Donne personifies the flea by suggesting that it is capable of wooing, or seducing, the young woman. Personification involves attributing human-like qualities or behaviors to a nonhuman thing.

What are the themes of flea by John Donne?

John Donne's 'The Flea' is a metaphysical poem that explores devotion and sexual love through the conceit of a flea. Written sometime in the late 16th century, the poem is exemplary of Donne's poetic voice, philosophical and spiritual themes, and the metaphysical genre.

What is the hyperbole in the flea?

Hyperbole. The author wanted to have intercourse with his lover, but he keeps comparing it and their love to the flea. Since he is comparing it so much to the flea, which is a worthless parasite, it's weird that he wants to have intercourse with her so badly.

What examples of symbolism can you find in the flea?

Donne has used a lot of symbolism in the entirety of the poem. Throughout the poem, he's used the flea as a symbol of their togetherness, and expands on it being their marriage bed. He alludes to the symbolism of the Holy Trinity when he talks about three things in one body.

What is the tone of the poem the flea?

The tone of the poem is highly ironic, dramatic and absurdly amusing. Extravagant declarations of devotion and eternal fidelity which are typical found in love poetry are absent.

What is the rhyme scheme for the flea?

The rhyme scheme in each stanza is similarly regular, in couplets, with the final line rhyming with the final couplet: AABBCCDDD.

What is the most famous paradox?

Number One, Achilles and The Tortoise. How could a humble tortoise beat the legendary Greek hero Achilles in a race? The Greek philosopher, Zeno, liked the challenge and came up with this paradox. First, the tortoise is given a slight head start.

What are 5 examples of paradox?

What's paradox in literature?

Paradoxes are often used in literature as a poignant device. A literary paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself, but upon further rumination, either reveals a deeper meaning or actually makes sense. Literary paradoxes are often used to illustrate something profound.

Is paradox a juxtaposition?

Juxtaposition refers to the placement of two or more elements side by side to create a comparison or contrast, while paradox is a statement or situation that appears to be contradictory or absurd, but may contain a deeper truth.

How do you explain paradox to a child?

A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself, or seems to go against itself, but may contain a basic or underlying truth when examined more closely. A paradox may be thought of as working against common sense but seems to be true, or state a truth.

How do you write a paradox?

To write a literary paradox, you need a character or situation that combines disparate elements. This is hard to do in the abstract! So it's usually better to try to observe paradoxes first.

How is the flea killed in the poem the flea?

It happens between the end of stanza two and the beginning of three. The woman has crushed the flea, even in death a noble martyr: “Cruel and sudden, hast thou since / Purpled thy nail, in blood of innocence?” By turning this accusation into a question, Donne nicely maintains the comic pitch.

How is love presented in the flea?

In 'the flea', unlike how the male lovers would normally try to win over the women with beautiful and unrealistic languages in the Petrarchan love poetry, in 'The Flea' the speaker uses unromantic imagery of a parasite, the flea as the metaphor for his intimate relationship with the woman, in order to persuade her to ...

What poetic device is being used in lines 26 27 of the flea?

Line 25: "False fears" is an example of alliteration that highlights her concern about the loss of chastity. Lines 26-27: "Yield'st" is a small pun. He wants her to "yield" to the (twisted!) logic of his argument, but he also wants her to "yield" to him...in bed.