Death Be Not Proud Analysis

Death be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,

For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,

Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.

From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,

Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,

Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.

Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,

And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,

And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

.: :.

thanks 2 u cai4nia boy.u just gave me an expo 4 my exams dat is coming up.u are great!!!!but i need a favour.i need the full explanation with figures of speech on ''going to bed'' an elegy by john donne plz

| Posted on 2010-01-24 | by a guest

.: :.

hey
when trhe poem says death its showing its a person that cannot b stopped. he doesnt like it though but everyone is takin away by death even if they are specail. it shows that were all equal in a a sence of death and that we should all accept it.

| Posted on 2010-01-10 | by a guest

.: :.

friends!
i am just a university student attending in Myanmar.My teacher will give us explanation about this poem. For that,she makes us read some analysis about this poem at the internet. i am not so familiar with computers. still studying. As the poet says, everyone has to die one day. So we should not be afraid of death thinking.We should prepare all the best things we want before we die.
Good luck!

| Posted on 2009-12-29 | by a guest

.: :.

friends!
i am just a university student attending in Myanmar.My teacher will give us explanation about this poem. For that,she makes us read some analysis about this poem at the internet. i am not so familiar with computers. still studying. As the poet says, everyone has to die one day. So we should not be afraid of death thinking.We should prepare all the best things we want before we die.
Good luck!

| Posted on 2009-12-29 | by a guest

.: :.

the lord
i think this poem its very sudness and don
ne use very hard words

| Posted on 2009-12-27 | by a guest

.: :.

As far as I can tell, Death be not proud actually depicts that, we should not afraid of death. Because in the first quatrain states that, some people called death might be very terrible and unplesent experience, whereas, john Donne assure them that, death is not like that and prove himself by explicating some of his sonnets. `Death be not proud, though some have called thee` In this line he says, death is not as terrifying as we think it actually are. Further he adds, it is perhaps more joyfull and pleasurable than we ever imagine. Rest and Sleep are one of the copy of death, as while sleeping and rest we feel ourselves half Consciousness which is a clear sign of death. Those who meet their destiny sooner means they are going to feel a pain of joy initially afterwards their death provides his sould full of comfort and Unthinkable Experience. The Poet further says that, the man is a powerful applicant to invite his own death by taking drugs and poisions but death is itself helpless and slave of our fate. Though, it is undoubtedly true that we all have to taste the joy of death but when we die our soul experience the changless eternal life.

| Posted on 2009-12-01 | by a guest

.: :.

Just to correct one person's remarks on the form of the poem, Donne's is an Italian (or Petrarchan) rather than an English sonnet. An Italian sonnet contains the end-rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA as its first unit, an
*octave.* A sestet, the second unit of structure in the Italian sonnet, has different possibilities but contains different ending sounds from those two in the octave. An English (or Shakespearean) sonnet has three quatrains and a final rhyming couplet.
Best,
Instructor Friend

| Posted on 2009-11-30 | by a guest

.: :.

heyz!
lsn people please i need some serious help
i have an exam and i should write a paragraph in response of this poem as death itself speaking in response to the poet's opinion
pleas help

| Posted on 2009-11-04 | by a guest

.: :.

why should death not be "proud"? is it because he doesnt really take a life or that he isnt feared?

| Posted on 2009-08-04 | by a guest

.: :.

Analysis :
The poet wishes to convey his message of eternal life and feels that people should not be afraid of dying, as there will still be, in his view, eternal life in heaven. He knows that everyone must die eventually, even, "our best men with thee do go". This is his basis for his acceptance of death and thereby defeating it. Donne's motivation for this poem stems from his religious background as he was a descendant of Saint Thomas Moore and was raised as a Roman Catholic, yet he still fuses his calculated thoughts with his feelings.Donne opens the poem with a defiant tone, indicating his stand against death. In his metaphysical conceits, the poet developes a lengthy, complex image to express his involved but controlled view of a person, object or feeling, in this case death being compared to a person. The movement is appropriate as the defiant tone in the beginning lends itself to the fast pace of the first four lines. A steady pace is then developed while Donne explains his point of view. An elegy is a classical form of poetry mixed with modern influences and this emphasises Donne's own form of writing and what he tries to convey in the poem, mixing feelings with calculated thoughts. Being a metaphysical poet, Donne usually used irregular rhythms, however, in this poem he uses bound verse and has a metrical pattern. He too is cynical and states; "Die not, poor death" and humiliates death. By making slight variations in the rhythm, the poet gives the lines a melody. He uses extremely emotive diction, such as "Mighty" and "dreadful" to incite feelings in the reader and to indicate that death is not these things. Enjambment is used to give many of the lines a free flowing affect and therefore create a faster pace when it is needed. The poet uses Iambic pentameter to create a rhythmical feeling within the poem. The use of diction is extravagant and is very important in the poem as it must describe the poet's feelings and, with difficulty, describe death. Donne uses realistic language so as to appeal to the masses. The poet succeeds in conveying his emotions using expressive diction, questioning the reader's emotions and thoughts on death and thereby creating insight in the readers mind. Donne personifies Fate and Chance to indicate they too are above dying.
Written by : Alaa Cali4nia Boy

| Posted on 2009-07-28 | by a guest

.: :.

Analysis :
Death, commonly viewed as an all-powerful force against life, is otherwise described in John Donne's Holy Sonnet 10. As found in any English Sonnet, there is a rhyme scheme and a standard meter. Although the standard meter is iambic pentameter, as in most English Sonnets, the rhyme scheme differs a little from the usual, consisting of ABBA ABBA CDDC AE. Sonnets convey various thoughts and feelings to the reader through the different moods set by the author. In this case the speaker having to confront Death and defeat it, sets the mood. Throughout existence, there have been many theories regarding exactly what role Death plays in the lives of those who experience it. Some think Death is the ultimate controller of all living things, while others believe it is nothing more than the act of dying once your time has come. Donne, on the other hand, has his own philosophy. The entire Sonnet, Donne speaks directly to Death.
Without fate nothing could be determined, therefore, our fate is truthfully what controls our lives and deaths. In lines one and two Donne says "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee, Mighty and dreadful thou art not so. Although we tell Death it does not control what our destiny is, we still recognize that eventually all of us will get there one way or another as stated in lines seven and eight, "And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery. Dreams can only offer so much, as compared to eternal happiness will never ceases to give tranquility. " All of us will end up meeting Death; nevertheless it will not come for us during our lifetime, it will only watch from a distance, until called again. When Death becomes a slave it is because it will benefit from who will die, but doesn't have the power to kill. It decides when our time has been completed on this earth, and then comes Death to take us away. Death is shown a sense of insecurity in line three when the speaker says, "For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow, die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. He gives Death life, and therefore makes it mortal, exposing it to pain, torment and eventually defeat. In line nine, the speaker goes against that to say that Death is a slave to fate, chance and us. Next, in line 10 he says "And dost with poison, war" and sickness dwell;" Therefore, not only is Death a slave, but it is also dependent on people in order to survive. " By referring to Death as a person, he makes it easier for the reader to bring Death down to a level of a weakness and venerability, allowing us to examine it to see what Death really is. " Donne is telling Death that all those who it think it killed it really didn't, and that it cant kill him, again proving that Death is not what takes lives but what delivers them.
Written by : Alaa Cali4nia Boy

| Posted on 2009-07-28 | by a guest

.: :.

Analysis:
John Donne addresses Death as one would speak to a foe, harassing employee, or even an annoying bully who is too weak and without power to deliver his/her threats. Donne tells Death that he should not be so arrogantly proud even though some have made him think he is mighty and one to be feared. He points out to Death that he is far from being any of those things.
He goes on to tell Death that even though he thinks he succeeded in overthrowing people.
They are the ones who deliver their souls and who rest their bones even when death may not be ready for them. So it is Death that is a slave to fate, accidents, suicides, war, and sickness. Death must dwell with them and must also cease when these men die. Donne mocking Death says that even "poppy and charms" can provide a better sleep because Death is just a weakling.
Donne points out that sleep which is the first death is short and one wakes to live for eternity. Thus Death is defeated and will no longer be. So Donne tells death that he shouldn't puff up with pride for it is Death that will face the real death. The first death for the believer is only a physical death; only the body is destroyed. This physical death serves as a portal to eternity.
Donne drew from his priesthood studies the knowledge of the afterlife. Through his writings he was able to make death seem less threatening to himself and to the people of his time. After all, who has not questioned his/her existence after death? People are curious and tend to fear the unknown.
Donne ends his admonishment very boldly: "Death thou shall die." The reader can sense that death is truly defeated forever more. There is some satisfaction in reading these words even if just for the moment. Anxious ones can return every now and then to the Scriptures and to "Death be not Proud" to find peace and encouragement.
Written by : Alaa Cali4nia Boy

| Posted on 2009-07-28 | by a guest

.: :.

Death be not Proud consists of a number of reasons why human beings should not fear death. However, rather than state the reasons as if talking to us, Donne turns to Death itself. He personifies and apostrophises it: he argues it into submission, till at the end he can state the paradox ‘Death, thou shalt die!’ triumphantly.
The poem is best understood as three quatrains and a concluding couplet.
The first quatrain states the theme, with its central paradox that those whom death touches do not really die. That is because of the Christian hope of resurrection and immortality. Paul writes, using the image of a grain of wheat: ‘it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body’.
The second quatrain takes the idea that sleep and death are allied, one being an image of the other (‘thy pictures’). Sleep is pleasant, therefore death must be, so why fear it? In fact, the best people, that is those who are most pure in their lives, die most quickly, because they know their soul will be ‘delivered’ into a new life.
The third quatrain mocks death. Death is not in control of itself, but has to come wherever there is disease or war. So why is death so proud? Then he argues that opiates mimic death and much more pleasantly.
This leads on to the triumphant couplet, that we shall wake into eternal life and death will be finished.
The poem is not an argument as such. Rather, it is a number of points piled up one upon another, not always quite logically connected, but nevertheless effective in building up to a climax.
Written by : Alaa Cali4nia Boy

| Posted on 2009-07-28 | by a guest

.: :.

i have a response on this poem after a while.i enjoy it alot although i dislike talking about death.this doesnot mean that i am afraid of death,but we should be careful in taking decisions in life and do not mix what is right with what is wrong

| Posted on 2009-07-27 | by a guest

.: :.

There is a short movie, originally made for HBO, available on DVD, called "Wit", starring Emma Thompson and directed by Mike Nichols that elaborates and probes the layers of complexity of this poem.
Thompson plays a stern professor of English literature who has stage 4 ovarian cancer. As life drains away, and she is suffering terribly from the experimental chemo therapy (Donne conveniently ignores the pain that preceeds death) passages of this poem are analyzed and illuminted.
At her final moments, the pain is so excruciating that the professor waves off an offer to hear something by Donne and asks instead for a very simple child's story.
Death laid bare to its simplest elements. Donne explained. Donne extended.
This wonderful movie is based on a play by Margret Edson, a public school K-teacher. She won the Pulitzer, the first time out. (How 'bout that!)

| Posted on 2009-06-26 | by a guest

.: :.

I have an english exam on monday and this poem is on the exam, so i was wondering if anyone might be able to give me a short theme, as well as the literary devices and the rhyme scheme used in this poem?

| Posted on 2009-06-18 | by a guest

.: :.

Thanks i think you just did most of my assignment woot very helpful cheers bro you just made my life a bit easier when everything else is turning well bad.

| Posted on 2009-06-15 | by a guest

.: :.

I am trying to study for an exam so I might keep everything I say to a minimal in oder to make sense of what I think.
Death is relative. It is there because we have left. It is like a sleep or nap (something that is a pleasure and something to look forward to apposed to a destructive, terrifying fate)
Death is also subject to other forces that as humans we may be able to control eg: how you maintain your health etc. Although, not always.
Many religious believe that death is not an end but a transition into another life. Some say that Donne explored this theory due to his Catholic beliefs and to find comfort in the death of his wife and children. Perhaps he was merely "playing down" death to make ordinary people comprehend and understand it better.
The end of the poem reads: " .. death shall be no more.."
I have explored the possiblity that perhaps Donne is trying to say that if death "kills" everyone then there will be nobody left to "kill". He has done this to denounce Deaths power as it is only able to have this so called "hold" on people because we are living for its purpose.
From South Africa with love x

| Posted on 2009-06-08 | by a guest

.: :.

Most of Donne's poems are about religious subject matter. In this poem Donne mocks Death.
He says death has nothing to be proud of since people are not terrified of him. Death is nothing dreadful but is actually a pleasurable experience since the people who die go to eternal sleep. God appoint's a certain time for everyone in this earth to die. So it is not really Death who chooses whom to kill but Death is rather a slave to fate.
The fact that God takes away our loved ones the soonest makes it look as if Death is a reward for all the good deeds. Also Death does not actually "kill" men since the people who die go to eternal bliss where they become immortal. In the end it is Death himself who dies since all the men Death has taken away from this world become mortal.
The poet pities death because death is a slave to the men he kills. Some people die in their own will by taking drugs and hypnotism. Even men are more powerful than Death so Death has absolutely nothing to be proud of.
The message of the poet is in the last few lines where he pities death. He says we have no reason to be afraid of death since the only thing which dies in the end is Death because after death all of us experience eternal life
-Farii

| Posted on 2009-05-15 | by a guest

.: :.

All I know is that I really like this poem. The first time I was made to read and analyse it, I hated it so much; but now I go back over it, it really makes sense. It has this awesome defiant air to it with the Narrator basically standing up to Death and telling it that its nothing more than an idea that has been built up over time to seem scary and evil. The way Death is personified really helps to get this across. The last line is the best: "... Death thou shalt die." Its as if you feel like you've just stood up and given death the finger, like you just stole its thunder and it knows that it can never get it back, that it's lost, and you've won. I love it!

| Posted on 2009-05-11 | by a guest

.: :.

Hey!
So I had to do a response to this poem for English class and I absolutely hate poetry so it was quite difficult. This helped me so much. Most of what I am going to say has already been said but maybe it will help someone else out there!
Basically the poem is about the afterlife and death. It mentions the idea that death can't pick and choose it's victims and once we die we live forever because there is no death in the after life.
The second line in this poem, "mighty and dreadful... not so" conveys the theme that death isn't as scary as people make it seem and to not be afraid of it.
The tone of this poem is mockery and the mood is calming.
There are two main stylistic devices used in this poem: personification and paradox. The title is personification because it gives death a human like characteristic; pride. It helps conveys the previously mentioned theme because by giving death characteristics, it makes it seem less scary. The last line in this poem is a paradox. This has been mentioned above. It again effectively portrays the theme because if death kills itself, its weak and therefore nothing to fear.
That's all for me! I truly hope this helps someone because everyone else's posts helped me so much!!
Love from Canada

| Posted on 2009-03-29 | by a guest

.: :.

Lool'z 2morrow we'll discuss this poem with class and teacher ,you gave me alot's of ideas and grab ma attention to some points .. thank alots

| Posted on 2009-03-22 | by a guest

.: :.

-Britney Lamar-
Death is personified: The speaker is talking to death as if it is human, telling death that he should'nt feel powerful, death is not scarey or 'dreadful' The people who beleive death is great are the people who don't believe in god or religion and those are the people who have reason to be afraid/ since they dnt believe in god or heaven they are going to die and live forever in hell or death. Death is simply a a slave to fate, working for fate.

| Posted on 2009-03-04 | by a guest

.: :.

thanks guys these analysis helped me alot.
Love you alll

| Posted on 2009-01-14 | by a guest

.: :.

One thing I notice everyone is misunderstanding: "one short sleep past, we wake eternally, and death shall be no more, death, thou shalt die."
This is not the platonic idea of a soul or spirit being awake in eternal life immediately after dying (it should not be connected to 'soul's deliverie') but the Christian idea of resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15). Donne expects that there will be a short sleep, or period of being dead, from which we will awake or be resurrected at the end of time ('the last trump' as Paul puts it). At that time, he believes, 'death will be no more'. It is not an individual movement at the time of death he looks forward to, but rather a collective awakening in resurrection to eternal life.
It is very important to distinguish hope of resurrection from the Platonic theory of a 'divine spark' that lives on. The paradox Donne is pushing is that because he will be resurrected, death does not really terminate him, and so is more like sleep (per Jesus' comment before raising of the dead girl: "she is not dead, but only sleeping"). Then on the day of judgement death itself will receive the permanent termination it 'thinks' it administers to people.

| Posted on 2009-01-04 | by a guest

.: :.

death relieves us of our suffering just as it is our surest way to eternal life.it kills the flesh that the spirit can go where it belongs.

| Posted on 2008-11-19 | by a guest

.: :.

I enjoyed this poem, it talk about a lot of things wrong with death. I think John Donne is extremely afraid of death himself, but never got to admit it in this poem.As it was written in the Elizabethan period, it also expresses the moods of what they might have been feeling, not only for the poet, but for the audience also. x

| Posted on 2008-08-10 | by a guest

.: :.

I enjoyed this poem, it talk about a lot of things wrong with death. I think John Donne is extremely afraid of death himself, but never got to admit it in this poem.As it was written in the Elizabethan period, it also expresses the moods of what they might have been feeling, not only for the poet, but for the audience also. x

| Posted on 2008-08-10 | by a guest

.: The REAL meaning. :.

Yes, Donne is basically mocking death.
But there is a deeper meaning behind it. Because, in the century that Donne had lived - almost everything was in command with Religion.
Because, Religion played such a big part of his life his belief in "Eternal Afterlife" is shown throughout the poem.
Yes, he shows that Death is nothing to fear - and talks of Death's will through things like War and Illness. He speaks of the similarity between death and sleeping and the peaceful nature of sleeping.
He creates an understanding that ALL men die and that Death shouldn't be proud or pompous - because some people evidentally die on their own accord - eg. drugs
I love the conceit. The concluding couplet - it's such a clever argument.
the irony of "Death" actually "Dieing"
Because, death shouldn't be percieved as a "scary thing" - it's like being born again.
The journey TO eternal afterlife.
=)
i'm in year ten, 15 years old. I studied the poem today in English
I really liked it.

| Posted on 2008-06-03 | by a guest

.: Donne :.

This sonnet is as dramatic as many works by Donne. It is an apostrophe in which Donne teases and trivialises death and denounces it power, referring it as a slave and nothing more than a nap ..one short sleepe past. He is making death out to be weak as well as a loser because when a man dies, death dies and loses what little power it had to begin with.

| Posted on 2008-05-15 | by a guest

.: Slave to mans fate :.

death is really nothing to fear
death is the only thing that really dies
all death does is relieving us of all the pain

| Posted on 2008-05-07 | by a guest

.: Slave to mans fate :.

death is really nothing to fear
death is the only thing that really dies
all death does is relieving us of all the pain

| Posted on 2008-05-07 | by a guest

.: important :.

Death dont' be proud even though you pride in it.
you are not mighty or scary as some people may say.
for all those people you took away, you are still unable to take me. So don't die, poor death, before you take me away. the first 4 lines he's mocking death.
Death, you're just a picture of peace (rest and sleep).
Dying is a pleasurable state and death is full of pleasure. You eventually take away our love ones away(best men), but you're just giving their body rest and freeing their soul.
the second 4 lines he's teasing death.
Death, you're a slave to fate and to man's action.
Poison , war, sickness, and sleeping pills will kill us but then so what?
One quick moment pass and comes eternal life.
Death will be no more, in turn it's really Death's funeral when a man dies. Last 6 lines he's pitying death.

| Posted on 2008-05-05 | by a guest

.: Kings? :.

I really don't think that this poem has something to do with the kings during Donne's time. As we have known, the author is a metaphysical poet.

| Posted on 2008-04-21 | by a guest

.: :.

guys, I have a mid-term exam, tomorrow in this poem.
I'll write from your analysises but if they were wrong, and I took zero in the exam. expect anything from the insulting words.
I'm kidding.
you realy helped me in understanding it in different ways and this is what the professor wants, she wants our own explanations and opinions.
wait for me to know my mark. I hope it is full.

| Posted on 2008-04-04 | by a guest

.: My views abt death....... :.

Well according to my point of view, John Donne is an escapist....he somehow is unable to digest this reality that he too will die some day!!he tries to avoid the universal truth of life i.e death...every1 has to go sooner or later....
Our literature sir has explained this poem very nicely...
Sidra and Fareeha

| Posted on 2008-03-27 | by a guest

.: My views abt death....... :.

Well according to my view point is that John Donne is an escapist....he somehow is unable to digest this realty that he too will dry some day!!he tries to avoid the universal truth of life i.e death...every1 has to go sooner or later....
Our literature sir has explained this poem very nicely...
Sidra and Fareeha

| Posted on 2008-03-27 | by a guest

.: Death Be Not Proud :.

Donne's attitude towards Death is one of belittlement as he insults Death's pride and attacks, or even mocks, the idea that it is fearsome and powerful at all. He personifies Death in order to berate it and point out that it is not as "Mighty and dreadful" as often believed to be. This is because he believes there is life after death and therefore there is nothing to be afraid of in dying.
The poem is ended with the paradox, "Death, thou shalt die." which suggests that Death is self defeating in it's sole purpose because after Death, Death is no more, in the sense that it is not present in the 'eternal afterlife'.
This text can be described as a "Christian Poem" because it describes how, after one "short sleep", "we wake eternally". The "short sleep" being the moment of death the eternal wake, an implication that there is life after death, and is a reference to the Christian idea of Heaven, and one's soul travelling there after death.

| Posted on 2008-02-17 | by a guest

.: Death.. :.

is being anthropomorphized and being addressed as an equal, until Donne finally makes him inferior. Due to his religious background, he believes there will be an afterlife and can, therefore, allow himself not to fear death.

| Posted on 2008-01-30 | by a guest

.: english :.

idk... im also doind a paper on this poem and i guess it just depends on how you look at it. it could show that Donne is afraid but at the same time it shows that hes not. it sertainly does show that he was mad at death for the loss of his family but death has no control. Its just fate n unlike kings n queens death has ne conrtol of who is and who isnt going to die. That death is only a character of the end of life for the body but not for the soul...

| Posted on 2008-01-29 | by a guest