Death, a frequent theme in Donne's writings, is central to "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning." In the opening stanza, Donne mentions "virtuous men pass[ing] mildly away." He uses this notion of death as a metaphor for his impending journey, which will keep him apart from his wife for an extended period.

Famed for his romantic poetry, it is appropriate that love is a central theme in "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning." In this poem, Donne equates his departure to death and advises his wife that showing too much grief and emotion over his absence would diminish their love. He contrasts the affection of "dull sublunary lovers' love," which he describes as common and immature, with the "refined" love he shares with his wife. Their bond goes beyond the physical world; it is a spiritual connection that exceeds material boundaries and bodily limits. Donne insists that his love for his wife will only strengthen with distance, and it is her love that will lead him back to her.

Piety is a recurring theme in Donne's poetry, and "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is no different. By likening his departure to the demise of "virtuous men," he suggests that devout individuals with strong faith do not fear death. They embrace it, assured that an eternal life with their Lord awaits them. The "sad friends" who gather around these dying men mourn their departure, yet they recognize that this transition is not entirely sorrowful, as the men are ascending to a better place, heaven. Furthermore, the men's steadfast faith symbolizes Donne's trust in his bond with his beloved wife.

Science plays a significant role in Donne's valediction, as seen through his mentions of mathematical tools like the drawing compass, which Galileo invented just two years earlier, and the circle, known for its infinite and perfect nature. He also incorporates science by referencing the "moving of th' earth," which alludes to the fear-inducing nature of earthquakes. Additionally, Donne refers to the Ptolemaic spheres, where celestial bodies move in space. His use of scientific imagery extends to his description of love, which he compares to gold being "beat to airy thinness," highlighting both the precious metal and its physical characteristics.

"A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" is structured by Donne into nine quatrains, each having four lines in iambic tetrameter. The rhyme scheme is an alternating abab pattern, with each stanza being grammatically independent. This straightforward structure is atypical for Donne, who usually preferred complex stanzaic forms and rhyme schemes. However, the simplicity aids readers in understanding the speaker's intricate argument more easily.

In the initial two stanzas, the speaker proposes that he and his beloved should part as quietly as virtuous men passing away, since their love is sacred and should not be marred by public displays of emotion. The following three stanzas contemplate the sanctity of their love, contrasting it with typical relationships based solely on physical attraction. The final four stanzas imaginatively explore how their souls remain connected despite physical separation.