Donne uses powerful images which reinforce the religious nature of Donne’s concept, which is that God is more powerful than Death.ĭonne’s poem used many techniques in order to develop the idea of this poem to Death. It also tells of the struggles that people of the time have against death. This leads one to imagine an actual being called Death who successfully battles victims, even “overthrowing” them. There is also the image of a battle with Death, such as when Donne says “For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow” (978).
Rather than simply state what Donne felt to be true, that in the afterlife the dead returned to God, Donne explained it with positive language. For example, he refers to “soul’s delivery” (978), or the comforting image of the soul returning to God. The mocking tone is surprising, given that Death is something, or someone, to be feared.ĭonne uses imagery to reinforce the idea of death as nothing to be feared. Death cannot win, as the everlasting life promised by God will undo the work of Death. Donne adds the reason why he is able to use a mocking tone with one as powerful as death when he states “One short sleep past, we wake eternally/And death shall be no more Death, thou shalt die” (978). Donne wants to ensure that Death is put in their place, and he does not disguise his negative feelings towards Death. This is clear from the title and also when he states “though some have called thee/Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so“(Donne, 978). This is the core concept of the poem.ĭonne is talking to death in a mocking tone. By symbolizing death as a human entity, Donne can treat Death with disdain. If death is a concept or a state of being, that it is impossible to fight it, or to use a mocking tone to show one is not afraid.
Because Death now has the human attributes of life, it too can die. Donne refers to Death as though it were its proper human name. By making a human being out of death, Donne can talk to Death, as well as give attributes to Death such as pride, which is a human condition.
The symbolism of the poem is that of Death as being just as fragile as a human being. Need A Unique Essay on "“Death Be Not Proud” by John Donne" ? Use Promo "custom20" And Get 20% Off! Order Now
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