John Donne A Valediction Forbidding Mourning

4.       

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 – 1^st paragraph of the essay.

2.       What are the arguments used by the lover to console his beloved? – 2^nd para. Of the essay.

3.       Essay: Discuss the features of metaphysical poetry as evident in Donne’s poem – 1^st & 2^nd para of the essay.