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Paper Abstract: Analysis of two poems on the subject of sex. John Donne's "THE FLEA," and Andrew Marvell's "TO HIS COY MISTRESS." Donne's use of religious imagery and circular argument. Marvell's use of land as a metaphor, and exaggerated imagery. Common subject of male character seeking sexual union with a specific female. Paper Introduction: The subject of John Donne’s ‘The Flea’ and Andrew Marvell’s ‘To His Coy Mistress’ is the pursuit of elusive sexual congress between consenting adults. In each particular poem, the main character, utilizing the voice of the male gender, seeks union for a night of uncontrollable passion with a specific female object of affection. Donne uses religious imagery within his poem, while Marvell uses the metaphor of land. In Marvell’s poem, he likens the lady of his pursuit to the exotic and conquered land of India while the main male character is likened to the less enchanting hills of England near the Humber River. In Donne’s poem, his religious imagery may be seen in his use of phrases. ‘Confesse it’, ‘one blood made of two’ (which is also an implication of sex and/or pregnancy because the mother and child are ‘two’, the ‘three lives in one flea’ that is repre Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Take the phrase'till the conversion of the Jews'. The Norton Introduction to Literature by Jerome Beaty (Editor), J. Laterthen, he proposes 'a hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes.' andproceeds to commence with further exaggerations of time lengths for adoringthe lady's breasts (two hundred years each) and 'thirty thousand years torest'. 'Confesse it', 'one blood made of two'(which is also an implication of sex and/or pregnancy because the motherand child are 'two', the 'three lives in one flea' that is representativeof the holy trinity and more (cloysterd, sacrilege, three sinnes in killingthree - still more utilization of the image of the Holy Trinity - and bloodof innocence). Heargues then that since they have mingled their bloods and are therefore'one blood', they are practically 'one flesh' and are therefore married inthe eyes of God! In Marvell's poem, helikens the lady of his pursuit to the exotic and conquered land of Indiawhile the main male character is likened to the less enchanting hills ofEngland near the Humber River. Interestingly, the female in this poem neverhas her particular objections noted. She moves in a fashion so as to kill the flea. WORKS CITED 'John Donne: The Flea.' The Norton Introduction to Literature by Jerome Beaty (Editor), J. In Donne's poem, his religious imagery maybe seen in his use of phrases. His use ofsimiles and metaphors profess their own tedium and insufficiencies. Incontinuation of backing up this argument, he refers to the Anglican weddingceremonial vows, which state that 'man and woman shall be one flesh'. Neither poet professes the faithful suitor'svow, "To me you shall always be lovely." Nor even, "I shall love youforever despite the ravages of age." Rather, they talk on and on - for thebenefit of virgins - how desire is found to be as ruthless as time. Paul Hunter (Editor), Carl E. For instance, the line 'One blood made of two. If we gain any insight on this matter from Donne and Marvell,physical union with beautiful dainties no matter what cost is all thatreally matters. Then, he continues his seductive argument, by stating matter-of-factlythat since the flea has 'done it', why then should not they? They are just reacted to and then shemakes the most controlling statement in the poem with her non-verbalstatement of action (her crushing of the flea). While they arelying there together, he notices a flea that is bloated upon obviouslyhaving bitten them both. Marvell, on the other hand, is very explicit about the threat hishurry-up invitation implies. This lineis both lewd and playful, especially followed by the teasing of the line,'And this alas, is more than wee would doe.' It is also fitting to notethat in the first two lines of this stanza Donne is arguing that the deathof the flea is more important than the mistress' loss of virginity. Bain (Editor) 6 pages 7th edition (April 1998) W W Norton & Co. The subject of John Donne's 'The Flea' and Andrew Marvell's 'To HisCoy Mistress' is the pursuit of elusive sexual congress between consentingadults. The flea starts and ends as nothing.The argument gains a strong note of confidence throughout the stanzas, butis abruptly turned around. Desirehas a short shelf life and therefore the ladies must get theirs while thegetting is good. She is therefore, committing a grievous sacrilege! Onehas to wonder if the joy lay more in the pursuit of the elusive or theconquest. His ultimate purpose, ofcourse, is to seduce her into giving her virginity to him. It is almost depressing when the poetmarvels how 'yonder all before us lie deserts of vast eternity.' While flattery is Marvell's choice to eventually lead his lady friendto his bed as an active and willing participant, Donne's choice isargumentative persuasion. In his writing, Marvell is eluding tothe mistress character remaining elusive until the end of the world. Within the story as related by the poem, the 'I'of the poem is lying in bed with his lover. Bain (Editor) 6 pages 7th edition (April 1998) W W Norton & Co.'Andrew Marvell: To his Coy Mistress'. Donne's argument is circular. Marvell does not so much favor the obfuscated syntax nor the feverishdisplay of philosophical speculation such as Donne displays in his writingbut, like Donne, he touches on the boundaries of excess. Marvell's lover is taunting his mistress. He then proposes an entire age to be devoted to the admiration ofeach and every body part of the Lady, with the last 'age' devoted solely tothe admiration of 'her heart'. Donne often uses hyperbole in this poem, a technique utilized by himto make a point. Nevertheless, lest the lewdness of the insult be lost onthe lady, Marvell proceeds to introduce a pair of genital insinuations.'Then worms shall try that long preserved virginity and your quaint honorturns to dust'. In each particular poem, the main character, utilizing the voiceof the male gender, seeks union for a night of uncontrollable passion witha specific female object of affection. Donne arguesthen that by spilling their blood by killing the flea, she is committingfigurative murder and also breaking the holy bond of marriage as figuredwithin the flea. In the 17-century mind, the very idea of sex wasthat of a 'mingling of the blood', so the 'he' realizes that by mixingtheir bloods together in its flea body, the flea has given to him what shedidn't dare. Donne uses religious imagery withinhis poem, while Marvell uses the metaphor of land. Bringing God into the argument is not only done so as to reinforce theseduction argument, but it will also provide the ammunition he requires todefend himself when the female of the poem story proceeds to the nextlogical thing. Paul Hunter (Editor), Carl E. Marvell's use of imagery is found in exaggeration. 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