A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

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 ourselves know not what it is,
Interassured 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 airy 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 the other do.

And though it in the center 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.

Summary of A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

Popularity of “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”: Written by John Donne, a master of metaphysical poetry, this poem is celebrated as a quintessential love poem within English literature. First appearing in 1633 in the collection Poems, the poem beautifully articulates the nature of spiritual love. It depicts an eternal bond between lovers that transcends physical presence, even in separation. Its enduring appeal lies in its portrayal of love in its most refined and enduring form.
“A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” as a Representation of Spiritual Love: The poem is a masterful exploration of spiritual love, skillfully illustrated through vivid imagery and profound emotion. Donne argues that a separation should not be met with conventional mourning, tears and displays of grief, as these would be a “profanation” of their sacred connection. He contrasts this spiritual love with the more earthly, “dull sublunary” love, which relies on physical presence. The speaker and his beloved, bound by a love that resides within their souls, are unbothered by physical distance. Their souls remain united, rendering outward displays of sorrow unnecessary. The extended metaphors, like the comparison to gold beaten thin and, most notably, the compass, serve to emphasize this transcendent and unbreakable bond.
Major Themes in “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”: The poem centers around the themes of love, separation, and acceptance. While acknowledging the necessity of a physical parting, the poem insists that their love will remain pure and untarnished. Donne develops these themes through a series of striking comparisons. The most famous, the analogy of the compass, brilliantly illustrates the idea that they are two separate entities yet inextricably linked, completing each other. The poem goes further to explain that their love extends beyond the physical realm, residing within their souls. Therefore, sadness, tears, and outward displays of grief are inappropriate and unnecessary.

Analysis of Literary Devices in “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”

Literary devices enrich texts, adding layers of meaning and enhancing the reader’s experience. Poets and writers skillfully employ these tools to create impactful and memorable works. Donne, in this poem, masterfully utilizes a range of literary devices to illuminate the nature of his profound love.

Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds within close proximity. Notice the gentle alliteration in lines like, “Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show,” where the repetition of the ‘f’ sound creates a soft, musical quality. Also, the repetition of the ‘m’ sound in “And makes me end where I begun” adds to the poem’s sonic texture.
Metaphysical Conceit: A distinctive feature of metaphysical poetry, this involves a far-reaching and often startling comparison between spiritual and physical realms. The most prominent example in this poem is the elaborate analogy between their love and the operation of a compass, extending throughout several stanzas.
Simile: A comparison using “like” or “as.” Donne employs a simile in the final line of the sixth stanza, stating “Like gold to airy thinness beat.” This image suggests the delicacy and ethereal quality of their spiritual connection.
Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words. An example can be found in the line, “Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss,” where the repetition of the ‘s’ sound subtly emphasizes the indifference to physical absence.
Imagery: Language that appeals to the five senses. Donne uses vivid imagery to convey the purity of their spiritual love, such as “As virtuous men pass mildly away” and “Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.” These images create a strong visual and emotional impact.
Symbolism: The use of objects or concepts to represent abstract ideas. The compass and the spheres are powerful symbols in the poem. The compass represents the unwavering connection between the lovers, while the spheres symbolize the cosmic order and the innocence of their spiritual bond.
Metaphor: An implied comparison that does not use “like” or “as.” Donne utilizes extended metaphors throughout the poem to illustrate the nature of their spiritual love. The opening stanza draws a parallel between the speaker’s separation from his wife and the peaceful passing of a virtuous man. Another metaphor compares tears and sighs to a “tempest.” The most significant metaphor, the compass, runs through several stanzas, highlighting the interdependence of their souls.
Paradox: A statement that appears contradictory but contains a truth. Donne uses paradox by suggesting that though their souls are one, they are also two distinct entities. This seemingly contradictory statement underscores the idea that their souls remain united even when physically separated.

This literary analysis demonstrates Donne’s skill in crafting a poem that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

Analysis of Poetic Devices in “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”

While literary devices encompass a broad range of techniques, certain devices are specifically employed within poetry to enhance its musicality and structure.

Stanza: A grouping of lines in a poem, akin to a paragraph in prose. This poem is composed of nine stanzas.
Quatrain: A four-line stanza, a common form in poetry, originating from Persian poetic traditions. Each stanza in this poem follows the quatrain structure.
Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line. This poem consistently follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, contributing to its musicality and flow.
End Rhyme: Rhyme occurring at the end of lines. The poem’s end rhyme scheme, as seen in pairings like “away” and “say,” and “go” and “now,” reinforces the poem’s rhythmic quality.
Iambic Tetrameter: A metrical pattern consisting of four iambs per line. An iamb is a unit of rhythm composed of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The line, “So let us melt, and make no noise,” exemplifies iambic tetrameter.

Quotes to be Used

These lines can be used in speeches about parting and the enduring nature of the soul, or in religious contexts to illustrate peaceful transitions.

“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.”