An analysis of John Donnes' "A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning"

In the poem "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning", by John Donne, the speaker is consoling his lover who is mournful of the speaker's imminent departure. The speaker is saying that since they have stronger than ordinary love for one another, their love will endure the separation. Donne uses metaphysical conceits and comparative imagery to illustrate the crux of the poem. The speaker is reassuring his lover by reminding her of how great their love is; it …

…conceits, comparisons of unrelated objects--the physical and the spiritual--to further emphasize his point. The two compasses, no matter how far apart they travel will always return to the other. If one is truly in love then physical separation does not matter; if anything it will only strengthen the union. The feelings between the speaker and his lover are greater than common love, therefore they can endure the separation; the speaker's departure should not be mourned.