Outline

Thesis: John Donne uses similes to describe to his wife reasons not to mourn at his parting with her as he goes on a voyage.

I.                    Introduction

II.                 John Donne compares parting to old dying men.

III.               He uses the comparison of earthquakes and the movement of the planets.

a.       Their love is strong enough to withstand long distances of separation.

b.      He compares himself and his wife to earthly lovers directed by sex and love, unlike he and his wife, who depend on their spiritual union.

IV.              He uses the comparison of gold.

a.       The preciousness of gold suggests the preciousness of their love.

b.      The malleability of gold corresponds to the flexibility and expansiveness of their love.

V.                 He uses the comparison of a compass.

a.       He states that even if the lovers retain their individual souls, they are divided only like the feet of a drifting compass.

b.      He compares her soul to the compass' fixed foot and his to the other. 

      VI.      Conclusion