An Analysis of John Donne's Death Be Not Proud

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not have the ability to kill the poet as well.

In the second quatrain, Donne turns from ridiculing Death’s claims of power, and begins mocking the fear of Death. Donne, through paradoxes, refutes common thinking that death conquers man. Death should not be feared; it should be welcomed because it brings more pleasure than "Rest and Sleep" (line 5) as it makes its final delivery. Donne finishes the second quatrain by reminding Death that believers whom Death transports from earthly suffering now can get the “Rest of their bones and souls’ delivery” (line 8) to their final destination. Here Donne emphasizes death is not a conqueror, but someone who is used by a greater force.

Donne now turns back to reminding Death of his lowly status. Death is not all-powerful, but

a “slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men” (line 9). This demonstrates Death has no

overriding control over man, but must rely other entities to perform his duties. He is reinforcing the idea something other than Death has control over man. Death associates himself with evils to be feared like "poison, war, and sickness" (line 10). Donne admonishes Death that he should not take pride in his associations or their abilities because opium and other drugs less fearful can end a physical life as easily or even better. Donne finishes this quatrain with a question relating to his reproof in the first line– Why is Death proud of himself since he is not the all-powerful being he thought he was?

The last couplet finalizes the argument against Death. Not only does Death serve other powers and is basically unable to kill anyone, but Death itself will die when, upon the second coming of Christ, the dead are resurrected to their eternal reward.

There can be fear associated with death. However, Donne clearly shows these fears are unfounded, meaning death only has the power we give to it. Death is merely a pawn used by God to fulfill His final plan for us. He reassures the reader that death is ultimately powerless because "the final enemy to be destroyed is death" (HCSB 1 Cor. 15.26). By placing our faith in God, we do not need to fear death, but can look past it to our final reward of eternity with Christ. For believers, we will be able to look back at the end of our lives and defiantly ask, "Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?" (HCSB, 1 Cor. 15.55).