4. John Donne A
Valediction Forbidding Mourning
John Donne is the
most famous metaphysical poet in English literature. His poem “A Valediction
Forbidding Mourning is a typical metaphysical one, remarkable for its ingenious
comparisons, mockery of the sentiments, display of logical arguments and use of
hyperbole. This poem was written by Donne when he was going to France leaving
behind his beloved wife Anne More. In this metaphysical poem the narrator
glorifies spiritual love which is divine and heavenly. In spiritual love there
is no place for grief and sorrow and separation. He compares their farewell to
the death of holy man who passes away in peace and love while his friends
standing by the death bed argues that he is not dead. Again the narrator tells
his wife that they should melt away without any noise. He uses such phrases
like noise, tear flood and sigh tempests to mock at personal feelings.
Effective use of metaphors is another feature of the poem. They are tear-floods
and sigh tempests. Hyperbole is the hallmark of metaphysical poetry. Donne is
poking fun at the idea that tears would cause a flood and deep sigh is sufficient
to make a tempest.
The lover in the poem
uses many logical arguments to console his beloved. Donne secretly married the
beautiful daughter of his employer and she was only 16 when he married her.
When the narrator is compelled to go to France, he consoles his beloved lover with many logical arguments. He
tells her that they are the high priests of spiritual love and they should not
weep or sob because the ordinary lovers will come to know of
their love. Making noise and sorrow is a sin that they should not do
because their love is not ordinary but superior one. Again the narrator tells
her that there is a great difference between earthly love (ordinary love) and
spiritual love. It is like earthquake and
trepidation of the spheres. Earthquake brings dangers and killing people
and animals. But the movement of planets and stars bring peace and music.
Ordinary love is based on flesh and five senses. But spiritual love is divine
and heavenly. Donne tells his wife that their love is as pure as gold and when
gold is hammered over and again, it does not break, but goes on expanding to
the air which is invisible. Finally the speaker tells her that they are like
‘stiff twin compasses’ and she sits at the centre waiting for the footsteps of
him, when he comes back home to England making a circle which means their
spiritual life is perfect and holy.
1. Explain
the conceit employed by Donne in the poem – 1st paragraph of the
essay.
2. What are
the arguments used by the lover to console his beloved? – 2nd para.
Of the essay.
3. Essay:
Discuss the features of metaphysical poetry as evident in Donne’s poem – 1st
& 2nd para of the essay.
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