In 'The Good-Morrow', Donne describes the lovers' world as one where 'whatever dies, was not mixt equally'. What is the source of this 'mixing' idea?
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Correct answer: Alchemy and medieval medicine (the Four Humors)
The conceit relies on the medieval belief that substances only decay if their constituent elements are imbalanced. By claiming their loves are 'mixt equally', Donne argues that their union is immortal and cannot die.
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