Biography of John Donne:John Donne, born in 1572 London and died 31 March 1631 London. He was a leading English poet of
the Metaphysical school. John Donne is often called the greatest love poet in English because he
wrote beautiful and passionate poem about love. His poem often explore love religion, and human
emotion.
i. A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
A Valediction:↳ Mean A valediction is just a fancy word for saying goodbye or farewell in a formal and thoughtful
way. It's like a speciall farewell message or speech. So when you hear A valediction" it mean
someone is saying goodbye in a heartfelt and meaningful manner.
Forbidding Mourning :-
In a simple word means telling someone not to be sad or cry. John Donne is saying to his lover.
Donot be sad about us being apart, because there love is so strong that there is no need for tears or
sorrow, He's comforting them & saying their love is special and enduring.
Introduction of A Valediction Forbidding Mourning.
Is a famous metaphysical poem written by John Donne. It's a deeply emotional and intellectual piece
where Donne addresses his departing lover. Donne is telling his lover not to show sadness or be
upset because their love is incredibly strong, deep and spiritual so when they are not together in
person. He's guaranteeing his lover that their love is so powerful that distance cannot weaken it
Donnie uses metaphors, particularly the compass. to Convey the idea that their souls are eternally
connected even when their body are apart.
Stanza no 1:
As virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
The breath goes now, and some say, no:
Explanation
In simple words, this stanza is talking about good and noble people who are not scared of dying.
When they know it's their time to go, they accept it peacefully. Their friends might feel sad and wish
they didn't have to die, but these virtuous people are happy to leave the world when it's their time
to go. They don't fear death, and they embrace it willingly.
Stanza no 2:
So let us melt, and make no noise,
No tear -floods, nor sigh-tempests move,
Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love
Explanation
The speaker saying that when they have apart from each other, they should do so quietly and
without making of big show of sadness. They should avoid crying or sighing because their love is
special and sacred and it would be appropriate to display the deep emotions to everyone. Their love
is some thing unique and not easily understand by others, So they should Keep it private and not
share with the common people.
Stanza no 3:
Moving of the earth brings harms and fears,
Men reckon what it did and meant,
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent,
Explanation:
In simple words, this stanza is talking about two things: earthquakes and the movement of
planets and stars in the sky.
1. Earthquakes are mentioned first. They are described as something that can be really
destructive and scary for people. People try to figure out how much damage an earthquake
has caused or how bad it could be if one happens. So, earthquakes are seen as a big
problem.
2. Then, the stanza talks about the movement of the things in the sky like planets and stars.
These things are much bigger than earthquakes and they move around, but they don't cause
any damage or destruction on Earth. The message here is that just like the sky objects don't
harm us when they move, when people part or go their separate ways, it should also be
peaceful and not hurtful.
So, it's saying that we should aim for peaceful and harmless separations, just like how the
sky things peacefully move without causing harm.
Stanza no 4
Dull sublunary lover’s love
(Whose soul is sense) cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
Those things which elemented it
Explanation:
In simple terms, this stanza is talking about two types of love: one that's focused on physical
attraction and another that's more pure and spiritual.
1. The first type of love is described as being based on physical attraction. It's a love that's
mainly about wanting to be close to someone for sexual reasons, like being attracted to
someone's physical appearance, like their beautiful cheeks and lips. This type of love can't
handle being apart from the person they're attracted to because it's mainly about the
physical side of the relationship.
2. The second type of love is described as pure and holy. This kind of love is deeper and not
just about physical attraction. It can handle being physically separated from the person they
love because their connection is more spiritual and not just about the way someone looks.
So, the stanza is saying that the first type of love is all about physical attraction and struggles
with separation, while the second type of love is deeper and can endure being apart
because it's based on a more meaningful connection.
Stanza no 5:
But we by a love, so much refined
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
Care less, eye , lips and hands to miss
Explanation:
In simple terms, this stanza is talking about a very pure and noble type of love.
1. This love is so special that even the people in it may not fully grasp all its meaning and
importance. It's very deep and meaningful.
2. Unlike some other types of love that depend on how attractive someone looks, this love is
not about physical appearance. It's built on trust and faithfulness. In other words, it's based
on believing in and being loyal to each other.
3. This type of love doesn't get upset if the people in it are physically separated, even if they
can't see each other or touch each other. It's strong enough to handle being apart.
So, the stanza is saying that this special love is based on trust and faith, not just looks, and it
can endure being apart without being upset about not seeing each other's eyes, lips, and
hands.
Stanza no 6:
Our two souls therefore, which are one ,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion
Like gold to aery thinness beat.
Explanation:
In simple words, this stanza is talking about the deep connection between two people in a
loving relationship.
1. It says that their souls are united in pure love, meaning they feel incredibly close and
connected on a spiritual level.
2. If one person has to go away or be apart from the other for some reason, it doesn't mean
their love is breaking or ending. Instead, it's like their love is expanding and growing.
3. The stanza uses an example of gold being hammered into very thin sheets to make gold
leaf. So, just like gold can be stretched and become even more valuable when it's made into
thin sheets, their love becomes even stronger and more precious when they are apart.
So, it's saying that distance doesn't weaken their love; it can actually make it stronger, like
how thin gold sheets are more valuable.
Stanza n 7:
If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two,
Thy soul the fixed foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if the other do.
Explanation:
In simple terms, this stanza uses a compass as a metaphor to describe the relationship
between two people.
1. Imagine the two people's souls are like the two ends of a compass needle.
2. In the center of the compass, there's a fixed point, which represents their love for each
other.
3. The two sides of the compass are like their physical bodies. These bodies move around in
a circle, just like a compass needle can rotate.
4. When one side of the compass (one person's body) moves in a circle, the other side (the
other person's body) also moves, but it stays at the center point. So, even if they seem apart,
they are connected by their love, which is the center point.
In simpler words, the stanza is saying that their love is like the center of a compass, keeping
them connected even when their physical bodies move around. Their love is the fixed point
that unites them.
Stanza no 8
And though it in the centre sit,
Yet when the other far doth roam
It leans and hearkens after it,
And grow erect, as that comes home.
Explanation:
In simple terms, this stanza continues using the compass metaphor to describe the
relationship between two people.
1. The "compass" in this case represents their love, and each person is like one foot of the
compass.
2. Sometimes, one person (one foot of the compass) stays fixed at the center of their love,
while the other person (the other foot) moves around or rotates, perhaps due to physical
separation.
3. However, after a while, the person who was rotating also returns to the center of their
love, just like how the second foot of a compass eventually stops moving and stands upright.
4. When both people are at the center of their love, it's like the two feet of the compass
coming together and standing upright. In other words, they reunite and their love is strong
and centered.
So, the stanza is saying that even when they are apart, they can come back together at the
center of their love, just like the feet of a compass meet at the central point.
Stanza no 9
Such wilt thou be to me , who must
Like the other foot, obliquely run:
The firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end , where I begun
Explanation:
In simple words, in this stanza, the poet is saying goodbye to his beloved because he is
leaving for a foreign country. He uses the compass metaphor again to describe their
situation:
1. The poet's beloved will stay at home, like the fixed foot of a compass that doesn't move.
2. He, on the other hand, will be like the other foot of the compass that goes around in
circles because he's leaving for another place.
3. Despite the physical distance, the poet's beloved will still lean towards him, meaning she
will continue to love and support him. Her loyalty and love will make his love for her even
stronger.
4. Just as the revolving foot of the compass eventually returns to the center point after
completing its circle, the poet promises that he will come back to his beloved. When he
returns, their love will be as strong and pure as ever.
So, the stanza is a farewell as the poet leaves for a foreign country, but it's also a promise
that their love will endure the separation and become even stronger when they are
reunited.
Theme of the poem:
This poem is all about a very strong and special kind of love. It's not like regular love you
might think of; it's deeper. Here are the main ideas:
1. Different Love: This poem talks about a love that's not like what most people think of. It's
not just about being close physically, and it doesn't get weaker if people are far apart.
2. Deep Connection: It says that the love between two people is so deep that it's like their
souls are connected. Even if they're not together, their love stays strong.
3. Fancy Words: The poem uses fancy words and pictures to explain these ideas. For
example, it compares their love to a compass to show how it works.
4. Comfort in Goodbye: It's like a message to the person the poet loves. The poet is saying,
"Don't be sad when I go away. Our love is so strong that it will be even better when I come
back."
5. Strong and Steady: Their love is like something that doesn't change, no matter what's
happening around them. It's like a strong center that stays the same even if things on the
outside are different.
In simple words, this poem is all about a very deep and lasting love that isn't bothered by
being apart. It's a comforting message to someone the poet cares about.
Metaphors Uses in the poem:
Certainly, here are the metaphors used in John Donne's poem "A Valediction: Forbidding
Mourning" along with short explanations:
1. **Compass Metaphor:** The most prominent metaphor in the poem. It compares the
two lovers to a compass. One leg of the compass represents the traveling lover, and the
other leg represents the stationary beloved. The fixed foot of the compass symbolizes the
unwavering love and connection between them, even when physically apart. The moving
foot of the compass represents the lover's physical journey. This metaphor conveys the idea
that their love remains strong despite distance.
2. **Gold Metaphor:** The poem likens their love to gold that can be beaten into "airy
thinness." This metaphor suggests that physical separation doesn't diminish their love but
rather refines and stretches it, just as gold becomes more valuable when made into thin
sheets. It underscores the idea that their love becomes more profound when they are apart.
These metaphors are central to conveying the poem's themes of enduring and spiritual love
that transcends physical boundaries.