1. The Flea
As the speaker remarks on the flea, he explains that the flea, who has bitten them both "swells with one blood made of two" (7-9). ... The speaker uses his language not only to feed the mistress's desires, but to feed on her fears of being an old maid because she is cold and prudish. ... The speaker tells the mistress that within the flea is "three lives" (10), the blood of him, the blood of her, and the "blood of innocence" (20), which represents the product of their love. ... The speaker uses "the drop of blood which is suck"d of thee" (12) as a symbol of the flea sucking the virginit...
- Word Count: 1163
- Approx Pages: 5
- Grade Level: High School