The Circle Of Souls In John Donne’s A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

Part I of Essay
Why would one wish to forbid that which comes most naturally at the instant of separation? The act of mourning is not solely directed towards the outside, it consoles the self, by following what has been proscribed we attempt to bring back to our lives a semblance of the o ....

Part II of Essay
.... of perfection. This perfection is attained by parting at the beginning of the circle and reuniting at the point where the curves reconnect. Donne’s monologue is unique because he uses metaphysical comparisons to show the union of the lovers during their period of separation. The poem begins with a metaphysical comparison between virtuous dying men whispering to their souls to leave their bodies and the two lovers saying goodbye before a journey. The poet states, “Let us melt and make no noise… ‘Twere profanation of our joys/To tell the l ....