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Critical Analysis Of Death Be Not Proud By John Donne

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John Donne, author of many famous sonnets including, “Death, be not Proud,” was born in London, England, on January 22, 1572, to John and Elizabeth Donne. Not much is known about his childhood, but as a teenager, young Donne accompanied the Earl of Essex on an expedition to Cadiz, in 1596 and to the Azores in 1597. Those expeditions provided Donne with a better view of the world, consequently affecting, as well as enhancing, his poetry. It was after theses adventures that Donne really began writing poetry. Some years and a few jobs later, at the bequest of King James I of Scotland, John Donne was ordained as an Anglican priest, in 1615 and remained active in the church until his death, in 1631. Throughout the portion of his life spent as a priest, Donne wrote most of his poetry, including one of his most eminent sonnets. “Death, be not Proud,” is renowned for its whimsical conversation with Death, its striking literary elements, …show more content…

Drawing the readers’ into the poem with a whimsical and rather comical dialogue between the speaker and Death. Amidst the interchange, the speaker taunts and teases Death, telling him that he should not be proud and vain, especially in view of his ultimate demise. The sonnet’s poetic form and powerful literary elements add to the playful dialogue giving it its light and humorous tone. Arresting allusions to Christ’s victory over Death at his second coming, reveals to the reader the true theme of the poem. Though at first, the theme appears to be death, in reality the theme centered around Death’s demise and eternal life for all those who have been saved by the precious blood of Christ! To sum it all up, John Donne’s “Death, be not Proud,” conveys an empowering message, in an intriguing and striking way, with its light and humorous dialogue, its striking literary form, and its mighty message, bringing hope and light to all to those who have

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