"A Valediction: Of Weeping"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the poem, "A Valediction: Of Weeping," by John Donne. The paper contends that, as in much of Donne's poetry, logical argument and the use of extended metaphors or 'conceits' are important in understanding the total impact of the poem. "A Valediction: Of Weeping" is no exception, and the three short stanzas of the poem contain a wide and complex web of meaning, which is open to subtle and varying interpretations.

From the Paper:

"This is an important first conceit as it contains the idea of the mingling of emotions and the intimate connection between the two lovers. She "coins" or creates his tears and at the same time they reflect her face or "stamp". The idea of the reflection of the lover in the speaker's tears should also be understood in a deeper sense as profound psychological and emotional attachment. The fact that the lover is the speaker's entire world is emphasized in this line: And by this mintage they are something worth. (Line 4) In other words, the speaker's entire worth and sense of identity is contained in the lover's face and person, which is reflected in his tears. Following this line of thought, the tears become a total reflection of the lovers' feeling at parting and generate further emotional attachment."

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