Respond in at least 5 sentence. The answer needs to be written in complete sentences. at least 1 quote from Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" to earn full credit and support your response. Identify the metaphor in Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning. " Include the quote of where the metaphor appears.
The metaphor in Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is the comparison between two lovers and a compass. In the poem, the speaker describes the love between him and his partner as a "twin compasses" (line 29). This metaphor suggests that their love is like a compass with two legs, one fixed and the other moving, always connected and drawing closer together despite physical separation. The speaker states, "Such wilt thou be to me, who must, / Like th’ other foot, obliquely run" (lines 35-36), emphasizing the notion that just as the compass's legs are linked, their love will always remain steadfast and bound even when they are apart.
This metaphor of the compass beautifully conveys the deep and profound love the speaker shares with his partner. It illustrates their ability to remain connected and united despite any distance that may separate them physically. Like a compass, they are both linked and reliant on each other, always finding their way back and drawing closer. This metaphor helps to convey the message that love can transcend physical limitations and that true love remains unbreakable.
The metaphor of the compass in "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" highlights the speaker's belief that their love is not affected by external obstacles, unlike the shallow love that others may experience. The speaker states, "Thy firmness makes my circle just, / And makes me end where I begun" (lines 31-32), indicating that their love is complete, made whole by their unshakeable connection. This metaphor reinforces the theme of steadfast love and emphasizes the idea that their love is everlasting.
In conclusion, the metaphor of the "twin compasses" in Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is a powerful and evocative representation of the unyielding love between two partners. It symbolizes their unwavering unity and the ability to remain connected despite physical separation. This metaphor enhances the theme of enduring love and serves to elevate the poem's beautiful depiction of a love that transcends distance and remains constant.