Death, be Not Proud (Holy Sonnet 10) John Donne

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 Death, be not proud (Holy Sonnet 10) John Donne

1. About the Poet :John Donne) 

  • John Donne (1572–1631) was the leading poet of the Metaphysical School.

  • Born in London into a Roman Catholic family during a time of religious conflict.

  • Studied at Oxford and Cambridge but could not take a degree because of his Catholic background.

  • Later converted to Anglicanism and became Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most respected preachers of his time.

  • His poetry combines emotion, intellect, wit, and philosophy.

  • Famous for his metaphysical conceits, paradoxes, and dramatic openings.

  • Wrote love poetry, religious poetry, sermons, and sonnets.

  • Major works include Songs and Sonnets, Holy Sonnets, Meditations, and numerous sermons.

  • “Death, be not proud” is one of his most celebrated religious sonnets.

2.  Poem Publication Details

  • Poem Title: Death, be not proud (Holy Sonnet 10)

  • Poet: John Donne

  • Written: Around 1609–1610

  • First Published Posthumously: 1633 in the first collected edition of Songs and Sonnets of John Donne

  • Type: Holy Sonnet / Religious Sonnet

  • Form: Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet with 14 lines

  • Meter: Iambic pentameter

  • Theme: Christian triumph over death

3. Poem Text

(Public Domain – You already provided it; presented cleanly here.)

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.

4. Detailed Poem Summary (Stanza-wise)

Although it is a single sonnet with no separate stanzas, we can divide the explanation into logical parts.

A. Lines 1–4: Death Is Not Powerful

The poet begins by directly addressing Death and telling it not to be proud.
Though people call Death mighty and fearsome, Donne argues that Death is actually weak.
Death thinks it kills people, but Donne says this is not true, because Christians believe that the soul never dies.
He even calls Death “poor Death,” showing that it is not powerful enough to destroy him.

B. Lines 5–8: Death Is Only Like Sleep

Donne compares Death to rest and sleep, which are temporary and peaceful.
If sleep gives us so much pleasure, then Death—which is only a deeper form of sleep—must be even more peaceful.
The best people die first because they are rewarded with rest for their bones and freedom of their soul.
Thus, Death is not something to fear but something that brings relief.

C. Lines 9–12: Death Is Not Free—It Is a Slave

The poet says Death is not a king; it is a slave to factors like:

  • fate

  • chance

  • kings

  • murderers
    Death lives with unpleasant things such as poison, war, and sickness.
    Furthermore, medicines like poppy (opium) or magic charms can put people to sleep better than Death can.
    So Death has no reason to act proud or superior.

D. Lines 13–14: Death Will End One Day

Finally, Donne declares the Christian belief that after death, humans will wake up to eternal life.
Death is only a “short sleep”.
In the afterlife, there is no Death—so Death itself will die.
This is the ultimate paradox:
Death will be destroyed forever.

5. Themes of the Poem

1. Triumph Over Death

The poem argues that Death is powerless and temporary, and the soul lives on eternally.

2. Christian Faith and Salvation

Donne uses Christian beliefs to show that Death opens the door to eternal life.

3. Paradox and Metaphysical Wit

The poem plays with paradoxes such as “Death, thou shalt die,” showing Donne’s metaphysical style.

4. Death as Sleep

Death is compared to sleep to make it less frightening and more peaceful.

5. Death as a Slave, Not a Master

The poet argues that Death depends on external factors such as war and illness, proving its weakness.

6. Rejection of Fear

The poem teaches readers not to fear death, as it cannot harm the soul.

6. MCQs 

1. Who wrote “Death, be not proud”?

a) Milton
b) Shakespeare
c) John Donne
d) Pope
Answer: c) John Donne

2. “Death, be not proud” is which type of poem?

a) Ode
b) Epic
c) Holy Sonnet
d) Elegy
Answer: c) Holy Sonnet

3. When was the poem first published?

a) 1600
b) 1633
c) 1700
d) 1750
Answer: b) 1633

4. How many lines does the poem have?

a) 12
b) 14
c) 16
d) 10
Answer: b) 14

5. Death is compared to what?

a) Storm
b) Sleep
c) Fire
d) Night
Answer: b) Sleep

6. According to Donne, Death is a slave to—

a) God
b) Kings, fate, chance, and desperate men
c) Animals
d) Nature
Answer: b) Kings, fate, chance, and desperate men

7. What can make us sleep as well as Death?

a) Water
b) Music
c) Poppy or charms
d) Fire
Answer: c) Poppy or charms

8. What happens after “one short sleep”?

a) We wake eternally
b) We vanish
c) We become ghosts
d) Nothing happens
Answer: a) We wake eternally

9. What finally happens to Death in the poem?

a) It grows stronger
b) It dies
c) It becomes invisible
d) It becomes powerful
Answer: b) It dies

10. What is the main theme of the poem?

a) War
b) Despair
c) Defeat of Death
d) Nature
Answer: c) Defeat of Death

7. Short Answer Questions 

1. Why does John Donne tell Death not to be proud?

John Donne tells Death not to be proud because Death is not as powerful as people think. Although Death believes it destroys lives, Donne argues that death cannot truly kill the soul. Christians believe in eternal life, so death is only a temporary sleep. By calling Death “poor Death,” Donne reduces its importance and challenges its authority.

2. How does Donne compare Death to sleep?

Donne says that sleep and rest give great pleasure, and Death is only a deeper form of sleep. If ordinary sleep refreshes our bodies, then Death must bring even greater peace. This comparison removes fear and makes Death appear gentle and harmless. It also supports the Christian belief that death leads to spiritual rest.

3. Why does Donne say Death is a slave?

Donne argues that Death is not free or powerful—it is controlled by external forces like fate, chance, kings, murderers, wars, and diseases. It cannot operate on its own but depends on these agents to function. This dependency proves that Death is a “slave,” not a mighty ruler.

4. What role do poppy or charms play in the poem?

Donne mentions poppy (opium) and magical charms to show that even simple drugs or spells can make people sleep better than Death can. If ordinary medicines can produce peaceful sleep, Death has no reason to act proud. This highlights Death’s weakness and limits its power.

5. Explain the meaning of the line “Death, thou shalt die.”

This line expresses the Christian belief in eternal life after death. When humans rise again on Judgment Day and live forever, Death will have no power over them. Therefore, Death itself will disappear or “die.” It is a powerful paradox showing Donne’s metaphysical wit and his faith in spiritual victory.

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