A Valediction Forbidding Mourning Loyalty Quotes

John Donne takes us all the way back to the Old Testament book of Genesis, which says that when two people are married two individuals become one new thing. Loyalty makes a lot more sense when disloyalty means betraying a part of yourself.

At first, this sounds like cheesy, groundless pillow talk. But, if you think about it, the speaker is pointing out how his impending absence will actually increase their love and loyalty. As they say, "absence makes the heart grow fonder…"

Loyalty is about give and take. No, Donne isn't being disloyal, but he will be straining their relationship by leaving. He praises his wife for being the one willing to stand firm at home and lean after him to keep them strong.