Death be not proud
John Donne's 'Death be not proud' is a Shakespearean sonnet written by a deeply committed Christian who wishes to indicate he is not afraid of death and discusses his feelings on life after death. 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. This tone empowers the poet and exploits death and it
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.
Common topics in this essay:
Fate Chance,
Roman Catholic,
John Donne's,
Thomas Moore,
death defeated,
fast pace,
death thereby,
defiant tone,
death donne,
eternal life,
indicate death,
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