Death

Death, a theme not uncommon to Donne's writing, is a significant theme in "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning." In the poem's opening stanza, Donne makes mention of "virtuous men pass[ing] mildly away." He uses this notion of death as a metaphor for his impending departure on a journey that will take him away from his wife for an extended period of time.

Love

Known for his love poetry, it is not unusual that love is an integral theme to "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning." After likening his departure to death, Donne reminds his wife that an outpouring of sadness and emotion over his leaving would profane their love for one another. He uses the love of "dull sublunary lovers' love," or love that is decidedly ordinary and even immature, to contrast the "refined" love that Donne and his wife share. Their love goes beyond the physical; it is a...