“A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”
...e the other men, this couple knows that there is no greater, purer, force on earth than their love. Their love goes beyond their physical presence, so much that their love seems to reside primarily within their souls. They are joined together as one, a unity that is not to be separated. This exemplifies one quality of ideal love. Their relationship is filled with trust and faith. Hope leads them to sincerely believe that they will able to remain together in love even though their bodies may not be in the same place. This is a true test that their love is genuine and not just a physical lust. The couple should also be able to function on a daily basis with out their lover by their side. It is in this sense of independence that they are dependent on their combined soul. These soul mates are connected as one, which solidifies the fact that they remain unable to be torn from one another. One can be certain that their love will not break because it is able to bend and stretch. It is described as “Like gold to airy thinness beat”(l.24). If it is true love, then time apart will only make the connection stronger when they are inevitably brought back together. This separation will only cause the two lovers to have a greater appreciation for each other. Physical separation will only make their emotional connection greater. In the end, both partners know that regardless of the length of their separation or the physical distance between them, they will always end up back together again. It is stated in the last stanza. “And makes me end where I begun” (l.36). It is now apparent that some kind of outside force is bringing the two lovers back to one another, even though in their minds, they where never truly apart. Most other relationships would not have this reassuring, comforting quality to fall back on, the feeling that everything would always be alright. This is why at the time of departure the lovers are not sorrowful, they do not wonder about earthly disasters because they all seem insignificant in comparison to the greatness of their love. They have no need to prove to the next couple that t...