Question

As used in the title of John Donne's A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, the word valediction is the antonym of the word

A. Longing
B. Greeting
C. Resolution
D. Initiation

Answer 1

The answer is: B. Greeting.

An antonym is the opposite meaning of a word. In this case, because valediction means farewell, goodbye or leave, the corresponding antonym is greeting, which conveys hello, salute or welcome.

The rest of the alternatives are incorrect because longing means desire, resolution means determination or purpose, and initiation means beginning.

Answer 2

The correct answer is B. Greeting

Indeed, the poet uses several analogies in order to show that though death or geographic distance can separate two lovers, they are bound to meet again in the afterlife or once the one who has left comes back from his travels. A valediction is the act of leaving or saying good bye, it is thus the proper antonym to a greeting, where people meet.