A Valediction Forbidding Mourning

Question 1

As virtuous men pass mildly away,

And whisper to their souls to go,

Answer 1

He likens Anne to his ‘soul’, creates the idea that he views her as a soul mate

Sibelance mimics the softness of his voice

Criticism to other couples who simply end their relationship whereas he will fight for his

Question 2

So let us melt, and make no noise,

No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move;

Answer 2

The idea of melting links to the burning flame of a candle: ie their love: and also the joining of the two couples as they melt together

The scale of natural disasters reflects the scale of the emotions between them

Question 3

To tell the laity our love.

Answer 3

Example of an emotional hierarchy

Alliteration of “l” sound

Question 4

Moving of th’ earth brings harms and fears,
Men reckon what it did, and meant;
But trepidation of the spheres,

Answer 4

Rhyming structure reflects the movement of the natural disasters he is describing

The spheres moves up into astrological imigery

Question 5

Dull sublunary lovers’ love

Answer 5

Repeated structure of the alliterative ‘l’ sound and the emotional hierarchy

Question 6

But we by a love so much refined,

Answer 6

A repeated idea of an emotional hierarchy

Question 7

Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.

Answer 7

The soft Sibelance creates the idea that donne is “kissing goodbye” to each part of his wife

Creates an idea of their love being rich in senses or that it is as plain as instinct

Question 8

Though I must go, endure not yet

A breach, but an expansion,

Answer 8

Again following the idea that the two will not end their relationship but just waiting for each other

The word choice of “not yet” suggesting it will come at some point but the continued mentions of their strong relationship that this breach will only come with death.

Question 9

Thy firmness makes my circle just,

Answer 9

Idea of completeness