Critical analysis
“A Valediction: forbidding mourning” is a poem written by John Donne between 1611 and 1612. “A Valediction” is 36 line poem which was first published in the collection “Songs and sonnets” in 1633 and written for his beloved wife Anne. The main theme of the poem is the love, described by the author as a pure, whole-hearted and all-conquering feeling, unbound by any earthly misfortunes.
In the first two stanzas, the author compares the parting of beloved to the death which in the poem is described as a division of body and soul. That departure is so silent and subtle that there is no knowing if it actually occurred or not. Donne stresses the importance of silent parting of the lovers; otherwise they will offend the sanctity and pureness of their feeling by revealing it to the “laity”
In the third stanza, Donne offers us an interesting metaphor. He suggests that the parting of the lovers must rather be compared to the massive movements of the planets, than to the “moving of the earth” or simply earthquake. In this line, the author again emphasizes heavenly character of their love which is far beyond worldly vanity.
In the fourth and fifth stanzas, Donne contrasts the love of “sublunary” people to the one of their own. The love of “earth-bound” depends more on the physical connection rather than on spiritual one. Such love fades away the moment when the lovers are departed. However, Donne and his beloved are not ready to abandon their feelings only because of each other`s physical absence. They care more for their soul bond rather than having the possibility to feel “eyes. lips and hands”.
In the final stanzas, Donne uses a two leg compasses symbol which signifies a couple in marriage - despite their unity at the core, they have two different functions to perform. One of the legs stands firm while the other makes a circle. And so they work and coexist together – if one part fails in its function, the failure of the other part is inevitable. Such connection makes their destinies interdependent. That is probably the strongest metaphor in the whole poem as it symbolizes not only true and unconditional love between the characters, but a mutual respect and trust that forms the base of their relationship.
As we can see, the language of the poem is mostly symbolic and metaphorical. By using those figures of speech, the author tries to persuade his loving wife that there is no reason for sadness and mourning as his departure is only temporary while their love is everlasting. In his poem, Donne uses a number of images and symbols which convey different motives. In the first stanza, he compares death to the parting of the couple. However, this parting should not be mourned as they will reunite again – no matter if it is going to happen in heavens or on Earth. In another stanza, the author uses a celestial symbol of planets which signifies an unending circle of their love as much as its heavenly essence. The image of two compasses conveys the idea of unity, mutual trust and interdependence of two partners.
The theme of science also plays a significant role in the poem as the author uses a lot of scientific terms and facts represented as metaphors. Donne uses the image of drawing compass designed for mathematical calculations, “moving of the earth”[Donne] or simply earthquakes as much as celestial movements of planets in the universe. In this figure of speech, the author refers to the theory of Ptolemy, an ancient Greek scientist who claimed that all celestial spheres, including planets and stars, will eventually reunite. The whole poem contains thirty six lines which is quite symbolic, as according to the abovementioned theory, the reunification of spheres will happen in exactly thirty six thousand years. This metaphorical concept is used as an argument in favor of couple`s ultimate reunion. In of the stanzas, the author also refers to the properties of the gold in order to explain that their love will expand as a result of the departure – “like gold to airy thinness beat”[Donne]
Works Cited
1. Donne, John. John Donne : selected poems.. New York: Gramercy Books, 1994
