Analysis Of John Donne's A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

Metaphysical conceits that poets use not only provide the reader with a contrast of the objects being compared, but also a realization and explanation of emotion as to how the poet feels spiritually while connecting it to objects that the readers are familiar with. The use of these literary devices are exceedingly effective in giving the reader a more indepth of what the speaker is thinking through the strange metaphors. John Donne’s, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, is an excellent example as to how meticulous a metaphysical conceit may be and gives the readers a chance to connect with the poet and understand how deep rooted the love he has for his wife. In the poem, the speaker has to leave his wife for some time, but just like “virtuous men pass”, they need no “tear-floods” because as more physical land is placed between then, their spirit and soul become more intertwined and tightly woven than before(1-6). The speaker goes on to explain that as the …show more content…
It provided another element for him to base his love off of and gave the reader some sort of idea to grasp pertaining how much he loves his wife. Because love is such an abstract yet emotional connection, the poet uses the conceit to add clarity and depth to the overall meaning of the poem. Adding a realistic connection by using the compass, the conceit also holds an explanation to the title of the poem. The title, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning. The literal meaning is A goodbye: Stopping Mourning. This is an unconventional title because when lovers say goodbye, they are most of the time emotional but Donne is taking a different approach. He is explaining using the conceit, that wherever the husband goes, they will always be connected and love eachother even more as the distance grows but will eventually end back up together so there is no need for mourning or