Death be not proud

Forth Lecture:
Death be not proud
John Donne (1572 -1631) was an English metaphysical poet and a cleric in the Church of England. He is noted for his vibrant language and use of metaphor. Donne wrote his poem, “Death Be Not Proud,” while he was fighting a major illness that brought him close to death.
This sonnet centers on his religious beliefs and ideals. In it, Donne is speaking directly to Death as though he is a person. This poem presents an argument against the power of death. The speaker warns Death against pride in his power. Such power is merely an illusion, and in the end he thinks that Death brings to men and women a rest from world.” The poet criticizes Death as a slave to other forces: fate, chance, kings, and desperate men. Death is inferior to drugs. Finally, the speaker predicts the end of Death itself, stating “Death, thou shalt die.” He means in heaven there is no death.Human will be free from their fear of Death.

More to discuss in this Poem:
1-The features of the metaphysical poetry.
2- The Poetic devices.
3-The images.
4- The Themes in the Poem.