A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne

Forbidding Mourning by John Donne reminded me of old black and white movies from the 50s. So formal, poised and calculated but quite interesting in a way that it is fascinating and different. It is formal because of the way Donne wrote the poem, by the formal language of symmetry and prose. It is also formal, poised and calculated like an old black and white film because, for example, a character dies and all his rich, stiff friends come flock to his funeral much like a social gathering. And because it is a movie, it is bound to be highly-calculated. Showing of extreme sadness is uncalled for, still in real life, what happens in funerals are completely different.

What I really find interesting in this poem is that when the writer mentioned that when death is accepted by virtuous men, there should be no difficulties in accepting a temporary separation with a loved one. By all means, because death is an inevitable phenomenon in human nature, individuals are supposed to accept it but its permanence scares people to death. Ironically, our fear of death is what drives us to die. Donne emphasised the virtue of these men who accept their death because they have already lived a full, satisfying life. On the other note, in a bit of a cynical way, I will say that the "painful (just kill me now)" separation of lovers are quite an exaggeration. They know that a temporary or permanent separation shall happen in their relationship anyway but still the ever-vulnerable human emotions comes at play. As a psychology student, it is natural for me to say that all humans are instinctually alone in any case. Alone with his thoughts inside the shell that he calls his body, that is. 

In the subject of human emotions, or to make it more precise, love relationships, the poem mentions that while the five senses are important to satisfy, lovers should try to see out of the context of lust; of the physical attributes of love too. 

Be that as it may, such bold life suggestions are not to be taken lightly. The power of human emotions really is a unique and uncontrollable force that drives humanity to be sane or insane; to live. 

Honestly 

not a 

big fan 

of this

poem,

that is all.