John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that John Donne's poem "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is a string of metaphors and comparisons, which invoke the metaphysical and spiritual nature of love in an attempt to make the parting of husband and wife easier. The author points out that Donne makes constant use of the sphere and the circle as symbols of perfection and eternity. The paper relates that a theme of erotic carnality, typical of Donne's writings, is not present in this poem but rather it expresses only the deepest and purest feelings for the wife. The author suggests that the husband demonstrates his sentiments by professing his devotion to a spiritual love, which has transcended itself above the merely physical and into the celestial heavens. The paper includes the complete poem and many quotations.

From the Paper:

"John Donne opens up with a metaphysical comparison of dying, "virtuous men" who "whisper to their souls to go" and two lovers saying goodbye before a journey. Death, in this sense, should not be seen as an ending but as the beginning of a journey. It seems very strange to compare their departure to the passing away of a virtuous man, but it's actually a very powerful comparison. When a virtuous man begins to die, he knows that when he dies he will enter into Heaven. In knowing this, he is able to remain calm and peaceful. In the same way, when two "refined" lovers part, there is no sadness or pain, "No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move," because they know each will remain true to the other, even though they are apart (l. 17; l. 6)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Abstract: A Valediction Forbidding Mourning by John Donne School of Foreign Languages." Studik.ru. 3 Oct 2007 <http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://studik.ru/foreignlanguage/55076&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=7&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsublunary%2Belements%2Bimperfect%2Bdonne%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG>.
• "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning: Lines 11-16 Summary." Poetry for Students. Ed. Marie Rose Napierkowski. Vol. 11. Detroit: Gale, 1998. eNotes.com. January 2006. 3 October 2007. <http://www.enotes.com/valediction-forbidding/5346>.
• Burt, Stephen. "Reading Guide: John Donne." PoetryFoundation.org. 3 Oct 2007 <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/feature.guidebook.html?id=177309>.
• Cavanaugh, Cynthia A.. "The Circle of Souls in John Donne's A Valediction Forbidding Mourning." Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature. 1999. 1 Oct 2007 <http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/cavanaugh.htm>.
• Donne, John. "A Valediction Forbidding Mourning." John Donne. Frank Kermode, Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990.

More papers on John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning":

• Poem Review # 119548 : "Transcendental Love in "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"
• Poem Review # 504 : "John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"
• Poem Review # 149547 : "John Donne: Metaphysical Deceit"

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