Poem #30
Death Be Not Proud -John Donne
Q1.) In what ways does this poem conform to a common sonnet form? What variations are notable, and what is their effect?
A1.) The poem conforms to a common sonnet form because it is made up of three quatrains and a couplet. (Elizabethan) The variations that are notable are that line 13’s “eternally” does not really rhyme with “die” in line 14, like is should, and the rhyme scheme doesn’t follow the Elizabethan scheme. The effect from these is that the poet used poetic license to make his poem sound whatever way he wanted it to sound.
Q2.) Describe Donne’s use of apostrophe and personification. How do these devices enhance our experience of the poem?
A2.) The author uses apostrophe throughout the whole poem because the poem is addressed to “Death”. Through the apostrophe, Death is personified as being weak but believing that it is really strong. The devices enhance our experience of the poem because they cause the reader to not fear death anymore because the author clearly tells us that death is not eternal, and that eventually we will wake. We look at death and dying through a different perspective.
Q 3.) Paraphrase each of the sonnet’s three quatrains, preserving the clauses but simplifying the syntax. Do the same for the paradoxical couplet. Retain the apostrophe and personification.
A3.) Death, do not boast even though some people have called you
Powerful and frightful, but you are not those;
For the people whom you think you have defeated
Did not die, poor Death, you can’t kill me either.
5 From rest and sleep, which is all that is shown of your deeds,
(You get much pleasure?? or I get much pleasure??), you should be doing much more than this,
7 And soon our most noble and honored men will go with you,
To rest their bodies, and for their soul to be delivered. (to heaven)
You are a slave to destiny, rulers, and desperate men,
10 And you do thier bidding with poison, war, and disease,
And drugs, or bewitchment can make us sleep just as good,
And even better than you; why are you so arrogant then?
One short nap will pass, and we will wake up forevert, (in heaven)
14 And there won’t be anymore death; Death will die with our awakening.
To Death -Anne Finch
Q1.) Describe the form and structure of the poem.
A1.) The structure of the poem is that the beginning lines 1-7 are and introduction to lines 8-16. With the turning point at line 8 with the word “but”.
Q2.) Which details personify death? What is their effect? With what attitude does the speaker apostrophize death? What does she request of him?
A2.) The details that personify death are in lines 8-16. The author describes death as something powerful because she describes it carrying a sword, being burning hot, and that it kills it’s “prey” by stabbing them. The effect of the personification is that the author causes the reader to picture death as an animal or something tangible (imagery). The attitude the speaker apostrophizes death with is an attitude of fear or possibly respect because the writer is afraid to suffer therefore, asks death to kill her peacefully; shes accepting that she is going to die.
Q3.) Paraphrase each of the three sections of the poem: lines 1-6, 7-12, and 13-16. Use one sentence for each couplet. This time, change all figurative language to literal rather than retaining the apostrophe and personification.
A3.) 1-6 O Ruler of things that cause fear, whose strict ways and discipline sways
Everyone that is living to obey his rules;
The important people are all yours,
Jesus wouldn’t even escape or disobey death.
My name is on your list, and I am sure that I am forced
To join your somber “kingdom in the dust” (kingdom of dead people; (dust to dust) hell??)
7-12 My soul is not hesitant at the fact that I will die
But I am afraid of death’s pain, and
The fevers, that leave someone’s body nonresponsive and unconscious,
And take us unprepared and scared from earth;
And your horrible feelings of guilt or sadness that you implant in the minds
Of mourning friends and family, who sit next to the death bed waiting for the person to die.
13-16 Spare them, and take me when you want (peacefully);
I was born to die eventually, and your purpose is to kill.
Gently kill me,
And take me in your cold arms.
