'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning' by John Donne
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As virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say
The breath goes now, and some say, No:
So let us melt, and make no noise,
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move,
'Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love.
Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears,
Men reckon what it did and meant,
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers' love
(Whose soul is sense) cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
Those things which elemented it.
But we by a love so much refined
That our selves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.
Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to aery thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th' other do.
And though it in the centre sit,
Yet when the other far doth roam,
It leans and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to me, who must
Like th' other foot, obliquely run;
Thy firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end where I begun.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne
John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the nature of love and separation. Written in the 17th century, the poem is often considered one of Donne's greatest works and a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry. In this literary critique, I will explore the poem's themes, structure, and imagery, and offer my interpretation of its meaning.
Themes
At its core, "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is a poem about the nature of love and separation. It tells the story of a man who is about to depart from his lover, but instead of lamenting their separation, he insists that they should not mourn or weep. The poem emphasizes the idea that true love is not dependent on physical presence and that the connection between two people can transcend space and time.
The poem also explores the idea of spiritual love, or love that is not rooted in physical desire or passion. The speaker suggests that love is a spiritual force that can unite two souls and create a bond that is stronger than physical attraction. He uses metaphors such as a compass and a goldsmith to illustrate this idea, suggesting that love is a guiding force that can lead two people to their true destination.
Structure
The poem is written in a form known as a valediction, which is a type of farewell speech or poem. It consists of nine four-line stanzas, each with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The meter of the poem is irregular, with variations of iambic tetrameter and pentameter. This irregular meter gives the poem a sense of musicality and fluidity, which complements its themes of love and connection.
The poem is divided into two parts, with the first four stanzas focused on the speaker's departure and the second five stanzas focused on his reassurance to his lover. The poem's structure reflects its message, as the first part emphasizes separation and the second part emphasizes connection.
Imagery
Donne's use of imagery in "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is both vivid and complex. He uses metaphors and similes throughout the poem to convey his ideas about love and separation.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the comparison of the speaker's departure to the movement of heavenly bodies. He writes, "Dull sublunary lovers' love / (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit / Absence, because it doth remove / Those things which elemented it." This comparison suggests that the love between the speaker and his lover is more than just physical attraction and cannot be affected by physical distance.
Another powerful image in the poem is the metaphor of the compass. The speaker compares his love to a compass, with one leg fixed and the other moving around it. He suggests that his love is like the fixed leg of the compass, always pointing towards his lover, while his physical body is like the moving leg, traveling in different directions but always connected to her. This metaphor illustrates the idea that true love is not dependent on physical presence and can exist even when two people are separated.
Interpretation
In my interpretation, "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is a poem about the power of spiritual love and the connection between two souls. The speaker suggests that true love is not dependent on physical presence and that the bond between two people can transcend space and time. He uses metaphors such as a compass and a goldsmith to illustrate this idea, suggesting that love is a guiding force that can lead two people to their true destination.
The poem also suggests that love is a spiritual force that can unite two souls and create a bond that is stronger than physical attraction. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not mourning or weeping, suggesting that true love is a source of strength that can help two people overcome any obstacle.
In conclusion, "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the nature of love and separation. Its themes of spiritual love, connection, and strength are as relevant today as they were in the 17th century. Donne's use of vivid imagery and musical language make this poem a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry and a testament to the enduring power of true love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Donne's A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning is a classic poem that has been studied and admired for centuries. This poem is a beautiful and complex exploration of love, separation, and the nature of the human soul. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Themes
The central theme of A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning is the nature of true love. Donne argues that true love is not based on physical attraction or material possessions, but on a spiritual connection between two souls. He compares the love between two people to a compass, with one leg fixed and the other moving around it. This metaphor suggests that true love is a constant force that guides and supports us, even when we are apart.
Another important theme in this poem is the idea of separation. Donne acknowledges that physical separation is painful, but argues that true love can overcome this distance. He suggests that the love between two people is so strong that it can transcend time and space, and that the bond between two souls is unbreakable.
Structure
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy in the 13th century. Sonnets are typically 14 lines long and follow a strict rhyme scheme. Donne's sonnet is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The structure of this poem is significant because it reflects the themes of love and separation. The first three quatrains describe the pain of physical separation, while the final couplet offers a hopeful message about the power of true love to overcome this distance. The rhyme scheme also creates a sense of unity and harmony, reflecting the idea that true love is a constant force that connects us all.
Language
Donne's use of language in A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning is both beautiful and complex. He uses a variety of literary devices, including metaphors, similes, and personification, to convey his ideas about love and separation.
One of the most striking metaphors in this poem is the comparison of the love between two people to a compass. This metaphor is significant because it suggests that true love is a constant force that guides and supports us, even when we are apart. The image of the compass also suggests that love is a journey, and that the two people in love are traveling together, even when they are physically separated.
Donne also uses personification to describe the separation between two people. He writes, "Our two souls therefore, which are one, / Though I must go, endure not yet / A breach, but an expansion." This personification suggests that the separation between two people is not a break in their relationship, but rather an opportunity for their love to grow and expand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love and separation. Donne argues that true love is not based on physical attraction or material possessions, but on a spiritual connection between two souls. He suggests that the love between two people is so strong that it can transcend time and space, and that the bond between two souls is unbreakable. The structure and language of this poem reflect these themes, creating a sense of unity and harmony that reflects the power of true love.
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