Respond in a paragraph. Answer is written in complete sentences.
Explain the metaphor of the compass in Donne’s “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning.”
1 answer
In Donne’s “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” the metaphor of the compass is used to describe the relationship between two lovers. The speaker compares their love to a compass, where one leg stays fixed at home while the other leg travels in a circle. This metaphor suggests that even though they may physically be apart, their love remains constant and strong. Just as the compass’s fixed leg guides the wandering leg back to its center, the speaker believes that their love will always bring them back together. The metaphor of the compass is a powerful representation of the couple’s enduring love and the reassurance that even in distance, their connection will never waver.