This is the "preliminary formal analysis" of John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning."
Genre: This has characteristics of a metaphysical poem. Firstly, it is a poem about love. There are
also unusual or obscure metaphors, such as the comparison of their love with
the movement of two compasses. He explains that because they are in love, they
both “[make] no show/ To move, but doth, if the’other doe.” It is a sonnet,
with 36 lines broken into four-line stanzas written in an ABAB pattern.
Narrator: A man, assumingly John Donne, leaving his love as
he goes on a trip. He cares deeply for this woman and softly proclaims their
love to be “so much refin’d” and not limited by physical distance.
Setting: The setting of the sonnet is ambiguous; what we do
know is that the two lovers will be in different places—“moving of th’ earth” –
very soon (since this is a poem for a moment of parting). If we assume that the
narrator is John Donne, then the author’s setting is most likely late 16th-
early 17th century England.
Characters: There are two characters in the poem. One is the
narrator, who is leaving on a trip. He seems to be a man of conviction who is very much in love. He gently discloses to his lover with a certain amount of
pride that their love goes beyond a “dull sublunary” love so that they are “two
soules…which are one,” even when they are separated by distance. Readers can
assume that this woman returns the speaker’s love and “hearkens after [him].”
They both seem young and clearly devoted to each other.
Plot: There is no immediate plot during this poem. It gives
the sense of being on the edge of an event, perhaps an event about to begin,
which is the man’s trip away from his love. There is more focus on the emotion
of the scene, with the narrator comforting his love to not “sigh-tempests move”
as he travels away, but to be assured that he will return “where I begunne.”
Diction: Donne uses figurative language to paint a picture
of the relationship shown in the piece. There are many metaphors, such as their
love being “like gold”—most spread out
but still precious and beautiful—and their souls being like compasses, always
pointing in the same direction. He even starts the work with the imagery of “virtuous
men [passing] mildly away” to assure his love that she should not fear, but
should be happy and have hope in a bright future together.
Tone: Generally, the piece is tender and reassuring. The tone
shows a quiet but complete confidence in his (the narrator’s) relationship. He
is familiar and affectionate with his lover, with whom he shares a love he
describes as “much refin’d.”
Rhetoric: The narrator is using a primarily persuasive tone. It is gentle but encouraging as the speaker tries to convince his lover that they truly are meant to be, and that this distance will never hinder their love. He wants this for her, so she will not weep "teare-floods" as his absence, and also for himself and his piece of mind as he is away and upon his return.
Visual Design: Again, the poem is split into nine four-line
stanzas. The ABAB pattern is laid out in the format. Each stanza is also
separated to make the piece more reader-friendly.
Textual Awareness: There are no direct references to other
poems or pieces of literature. There are certainly comparisons made, but
nothing to connect this piece directly to another work.
...Well, I tried!
I like your ideas! I also like that you described it as "metaphysical" because it totally is. I also like that you figured out the compass analogy--that's the one time I couldn't really figure out the exact sort of object he was referring to.
ReplyDeleteI think you do a great job interpreting why he refers to "gold beat to airy thinness." I hadn't thought of how their love was spread far, yet held its value, so thanks for the insight!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you described the plot as "being on the edge" but not quite there yet.. Perfectly explains what I was thinking while reading. This poem can go so many different ways!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete