Death Be Not Proud by John Donne – Full Poem & Analysis

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The Poem by John Donne

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.

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Explanation

1. Defiance of Death’s Power (Lines 1–4):
   Donne personifies Death as a prideful entity and immediately undermines its reputation. He argues that Death isn’t truly “mighty” because it doesn’t destroy souls—it merely transitions them to eternal life . The phrase “poor Death“ mocks its perceived authority.
2. Death as a Gentle Sleep (Lines 5–8):
   Comparing Death to rest and sleep, Donne suggests it’s a source of pleasure, not terror. The “best men” (like martyrs) embrace Death early, finding peace (“soul’s delivery“) . This reflects Christian beliefs in resurrection.
3. Death’s Subjugation (Lines 9–12):
   Death is called a “slave“ to forces like fate, war, and disease. Donne notes that drugs (“poppy or charms“) can mimic Death’s effects, making it seem redundant. The rhetorical question “why swell’st thou then?“ ridicules Death’s arrogance .
4. Triumph Over Mortality (Lines 13–14):
   The final couplet declares Death’s ultimate defeat: it’s merely a “short sleep“ before eternal life. The paradox “Death, thou shalt die“ echoes St. Paul’s theology (1 Corinthians 15:26), asserting that resurrection nullifies Death’s power .

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Key Themes

• Christian Eternity: Death is a temporary state, not an end .
• Metaphysical Wit: Donne uses logic, paradox, and vivid imagery to dismantle fear .
• Personification: Death is stripped of grandeur, reduced to a pitiable figure .

Difficult Words & Meanings

1. Dreadful – Extremely frightening or terrible.
2. Overthrow – To defeat or destroy completely.
3. Poppy – A flower from which opium is derived; here, it symbolizes sleep-inducing drugs.
4. Charms – Magic spells or soothing remedies (in Donne’s time, often herbal potions).
5. Swell’st – (Archaic) To puff up with pride; here, Death’s arrogance is mocked.
6. Slave to fate – Death is controlled by destiny, not independent.
7. Delivery – Liberation (the soul’s release from the body).
8. Eternally – Forever, without end.
9. Stroke – A blow or attack (Death’s power to kill).
10. Pictures – Mere images or imitations (sleep is a weak copy of Death).

Why These Words Matter

Donne uses archaic terms (“swell’st,” “thou“) and metaphysical conceits (like comparing Death to sleep) to challenge Death’s power. Words like “poppy“ and “charms“ show how even human inventions rival Death’s authority.