Analysis Of John Donne's Poem A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

John Donne’s poem “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” dramatizes the conflict between one lover’s revelation of beginning a long-distance relationship however, he expresses that nothing will stop the love he has for his lover; Remarkably, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, conveys a similar message in that there is nothing that can come between two lovers. To begin with, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell sing, “No matter how far don’t worry baby / Just call my name I’ll be there in a hurry / You don’t have to worry” (4-6). The speaker in this song gives reason for his lover not to worry, “no matter how far,” in comparison, the speaker in Donne’s poem shows a similar analogy when he claims, “So let us melt, and

The speaker in Donne’s poem states, “If they be two, they are two so / As stiff twin compasses are two…. Thy firmness makes my circle just, / And makes me end where I begun” (25-40). In likeness, the speaker in “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” claims, “My love is alive / Way down in my heart / Although we are miles apart / if you ever need a helping hand / I’ll be there on the double” this speaker’s love is portrayed to be alive no matter the distance (27-29). Interestingly, the speaker in Donne’s poem illiterates their love as a “compass”; which in context, is never bound by distance rather, is used for giving direction for a distance. In addition, within common vernacular love is compared to a compass as well in that love guides us through our relationships as a compass guides our direction. Figuratively, love is the compass to our hearts; it directs us to and where we need to be. In likeness, a literal compass shows us an actual direction to go, thus the metaphor love is a compass. Both speakers clearly express their love with having no boundaries, being alive, and directing their steps back to their