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Death be not proud, though some have called thee (Themes (Wonder, Powerful…
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Title
Direct address
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Demanding
Speaker assumes the position of the one who must humble this so called being, Death
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Language
Paints a picture of Death as an arrogant being, and one who needs to be humbled
Asserts Authority
John Donne uses a literary tactic of “apostrophe” to drive home his point. Apostrophe occurs when a writer addresses a subject who cannot respond.
Readers know immediately that this sonnet will consist of one speaker who will do all of the talking and accusing of his subject. Death, though adequately personified, cannot respond to the accusations of the speaker.
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For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
The speaker first humbles Death by telling him that his idea that he has the power to overthrow lives is simply an illusion and that he has no such power at all. Then, to further humiliate Death, the speaker calls him “Poor Death”. It sounds almost as if the speaker is making fun of Death for having lived under the illusion that he had any sort of power over life or death. Then, he addresses Death in a more personal manner, challenging him by saying, “yet canst thou kill me”.
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Taunts
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Accuses Death of having lowly companions such as “poison, war, and sickness”
Conveys that all death brings is a little sleep, and he doesn’t even do that as well as some other bringers of rest such as “poppy” or “charms”. This comparison further portrays Death as something not only weak but even pleasurable. The speaker questions Death, asking “why swell’st thou then?” He is asking him why he is so puffed up with pride when he cannot even do his job, as well as others, can.
Conclusion
John Donne claims that Death is only “one short sleep” and that those who experience Death with “wake eternally”. Then, he claims that “death shall be no more”. Finally, he tells Death, “thou shalt die”. The speaker has not only told Death that he has no real power over anyone, but that he will experience the end of himself when all wake in eternity and death will be no more.
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Contrast in argument
The speaker describes Death as “rest of their bones” and “soul’s delivery”. Both of these descriptions make Death seem like a welcome friend who comes to graciously offer rest and peace and the deliverance of one’s soul from an earthly body where pain and suffering abide.
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