Gender in John Donne's Poetry

Essay # 60059

Gender and Sexuality > Gender Studies
Literature > Poetry

An analytical approach to the roles of gender in John Donne's poetry and why he held such views of women and men.

2,160 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

John Donne viewed love in a very unique context. His attitudes towards love can be found in many of his works including "The Flea" and "Elegy 19: To His Mistress Going to Bed".. This paper examines how these poems are excellent examples of the beliefs that Donne held regarding the sexual roles of both men and women and how Donne includes symbolism and other literary techniques to show his inner feelings and beliefs towards the roles one plays when dealing with romance and love.

From the Paper:

"Donne uses the literary techniques known as ethos, logos, and pathos in "The Flea", intentionally or not, and it helps the reader be more readily convinced of what the roles of gender truly are. When Donne mentions, "And in this flea our two bloods mingled be", he is using ethos to show the audience he in fact is a reputable author who was knowledgeable about the beliefs and culture surrounding him. In the time of this writing it was a common belief that sex was no more than the mixing of two bloods. The whole argument of the lover is that the flea has already done that which sex actually constitutes so it would therefore be meaningless for her to worry about losing her virginity."