Figurative Language 5- A Valediction: Forbbiding Mourning

"Our two souls therefore, which are one." line 21

This poem by John Donne seems to be written to his significant other. The title, like many of the other poems in this unit, exhibits the main concept of the poem. The speaker is about to embark on a journey, and he tells his wife not to mourn their separation. The reason they are not to mourn their separation is because their love for one another is deeper than just a physical relationship. Mourning separation is a sign of a "lover's love" as Donne puts it. The speaker knows that his connection to his wife well exceeds physical intimacy since they are spiritually linked. Because the couple is connected at the soul, there is no need to cry over the loss of touch. In their hearts they know they are together. Donne uses an analogy to the Church. The laity's relationship with God simulates the relationship of the lovers, and the clergy's relationship with God mirrors the speaker and his wife. The clergy has a much closer and deeper connection to God, just as soul mates have deeper connections than physical lovers.