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Compare and contrast the two Valediction poems A Valediction Of Weeping and A Valediction Forbidding Mourning

Throughout both of Donnes Valediction poems there are several instances wherein certain themes are prevalent namely those of water and of travel, amongst others. In this essay I aim to explore these themes, and comment on the ways in which the writer employs various techniques, as well as the poems structure and form. In doing so I will allow myself to compare and contrast the two texts. In terms of structure, both of the Valediction poems differ highly, as Forbidding Morning is in the quatrain form with nine stanzas in total, whereas A Valediction Of Weeping contains three stanzas, all of nine lines each. Whilst A Valediction Forbidding Mourning appears to be in the Iambic Tetrameter form, its counterpart is of no nameable rhythm scheme, thus highlighting a fundamental difference between the two. However, despite the distinct lack of similarities in form and structure, both poems in terms of their content share several of their themes. The use of hyperbole, a highly prevalent technique in many metaphysical poems is employed in both A Valediction of Weeping and A Valediction Forbidding Mourning, largely related to the nautical imagery in both. In ...of Weeping the authorial voice speaks of seas which would drown him in thy sphere from the tears of his lover which, being physically impossible is clearly a hyberbolic statement, which in itself is a macrocosm. Likewise, in ...Forbidding Mourning the suggestion of tear floods and sigh tempests similarly suggests tears which could be as great as the sea. Another of Donnes poems, A Nocturnal Upon St Lucys Day relates to a sea of tears, in particular a hydroptic world relating to both the sea and the swelling of tears. Thus, from this it is apparent that both poems contain a sombre theme, in the way they both show the plight of lovers parting. His inspiration for both of these poems may have been from his own experience of leaving his wife for two months in 1611. The poems speak of a great sadness from both lovers, and whilst the titles may seem different with ...Forbidding Mourning appearing to be against the act of an emotional goodbye and ...of Weeping seemingly conversely so, in both Donne reiterates the need not to cry over a parting. In ...of Weeping it is suggested that whoever

sighs most is cruellest, and hastes the others death, which is again a hyperbolic statement. However, ...Forbidding Mourning appears to focus upon other aspects of love, such as that of sensual love (in soul is sense) and the forbidden love of the two, as the authorial voice suggests in stanza two that if their love were to be shared it would be a profanation of their love. In stanza three of ...of Weeping Donne suggests his happiness is heavily reliant upon hers, as if she were to be sad his heaven would be dissolved. Whilst this is not explicitly shown, in ..Forbidding Mourning there seems to be no suggestion of the same sentiment. As in both poems there is separation, there is also mention of travel. In the early seventeenth century (at the time of writing these poems) travel and exploration was becoming ever more common with the upper classes. Thus, from this it may not be surprising that the conceit of ...Forbidding Mourning appears to be that of a compass, signifying direction. The circular motif throughout, with the mention of the compass in seven tying in with the authors own travels extends to ...of Weeping also, as in stanza two there is mention of a round ball. This round ball is a reference to the globe, and by laying copies upon this globe Donne is referring to the work of Edward Wright, a pioneer in cartography which, in the seventeenth century was still a relatively new practice. A theme of religion appears also to be prevalent in both poems, albeit not to the same extent. The conceit in ...of Weeping is that of the Biblical flood, relating to the waters from his lovers tears flooding the world. However, religious connotations shown in ...Forbidding Mourning are of a different and lesser nature, and appear to be of guilt in not wishing for the laity clergy to know of their love, signifying a forbidden love, and a struggle between acting for God and the church or for his personal compulsions. In both of the Valediction poems, there are several references to the themes of travel, religion and love, shown similarly in placed but also different in nature in places. There appears to be much in common in terms of theme, whereas in structure there is little resemblance, with both taking on a very different rhyme scheme and stanza structure.

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