Holy Sonnets: Death, Be Not Proud

by John Donne

Funeral Poem – Death, Be Not Proud

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

Poem Theme

A funeral poem that speaks to the idea that death is not something to be feared or respected. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and those who have passed on will eventually wake up to eternal life. Overall, the poem is intended to bring comfort and hope to grieving people and encourage them to face death with courage and acceptance.

Analysis of Poem

“Death Be Not Proud” is a thought-provoking and moving poem that resonates with readers on a universal level. In the poem, John Donne addresses the question of why Death should not be proud:

• Death does not have the power to truly kill, as the soul remains after death.
• Death often takes the best and most virtuous people, and it is a release for their souls.
• Death is simply a state of rest and sleep, and it is actually a source of pleasure.
• Death as a slave to external forces and circumstances
• Death is only temporary, and after a short sleep, we will wake up eternally.
• Death itself will eventually die.