Essay on Interpretation of A Valediction Forbidding Mourning

Interpretation of A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning Although that it may seem that the meaning of A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning could be applied to any couple awaiting separation, according to Izaak Walton, a seventeenth-century biographer, John Donne wrote his poem for his wife, Anne Donne, right before his departure for France in 1611 (Damrosch 238). However, even though the poem is not written to an audience, many of us can learn from what Donne is trying to convey to his wife. In the poem, Donne pleads with his lady to accept his departure. He defines and celebrates a love that transcends the physical realm and expresses that their love can therefore survive and even grow through their†¦show more content†¦The speaker thinks that it would be a profanation (line 7) to reveal the sacred love he shares with his lady. It would be similar to priests revealing the mysteries of their faith to the laity (line 8), that is, to ordinary people. If they would publicly display their grief upon their separation he feels it would therefore defile the sacred love of him and his wife to be no better than the love of ordinary people. The third stanza introduces another category of surprising comparative images, referring to the motions or changes of the earth and spheres. Earthquakes are perceived by almost everyone as often as a sign of misfortune. It is understandable that many fear earthquakes because of the damage they may cause to property and land; wheras a trepidation of the spheres would be viewed by many ,because they dont know what it is, to have no apparent meaning. However, in order to understand the true meaning of this third quatrain of the poem, it is necessary to consider the Ptolemaic Universe and the symbolism Donne used by the sphere. Donne was a very well-educated man who studied famous thinkers such as Aristotle and Ptolemy, and their views of the universe. During the Middle Ages and the Elizabethan Age, philosophers views of the circle and sphere were looked upon by many as perfect shapes. The main influence behind this thinking mayShow MoreRelatedEssay about John Donne- Treatment of Secu lar Love2101 Words   |  9 Pagestreatment of such matters reaching radical and unconventional highs. It is through his great variety of emotion and passion that Donne explores, arguably, his most consistent theme of love itself. â€Å"The Sunne Rising†, â€Å"The Ecstasy†, â€Å"A Valediction of Forbidding Mourning† and â€Å"Air and Angels† are four poems which contrast on various levels but still link on common ground in their ideas and techniques to which Donne uses to portray a passionate yet sometimes cynical outlook on love. Donne’s insightRead MoreWit and Donne1587 Words   |  7 Pagestowards life as she did in the beginning of the play. 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However, in John Donne’s Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, Donne presents a spe aker in 1612 giving a farewell address to his lover to soothe her worries, emphasizing that the strength of their bond will not deteriorate despite their physical separation. Throughout the poem, Donne uses multipleRead MoreLove in HJohn Donne ´s A Valediction Forbidding Mourning and Andrew Marvell ´s To His Coy Mistress838 Words   |  4 Pagesanalysis will be concentric upon discussing and analyzing the approach and understanding of love that two specific poets exhibit within their respective work. The first of these poets that will be analyzed is John Donne in his poem â€Å"A valediction forbidding Mourning†. Likewise, the second which will be analyzed is Andrew Marvell’s â€Å"To His Coy Mistress†. 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