Death Be Not Proud Poem by John Donne

Death Be Not Proud

Rating: 3.9


Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

Death Be Not Proud
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Caleb Joyce 21 August 2012

Well...I'm a fan and advocate of poetry written according to Wordsworth's ideals, outlined in his 'Preface to the Lyrical Ballads.' This poem is the farthest thing from that. Poetry should be written in every day language, and strike a note with the reader allowing him to relate to it, while still being able to get the author's point across...this poem doesn't give me any sense of familiarity and is by no means conversational. Give me Dover Beach over this any day.

27 124 Reply
Alok Mishra 21 April 2012

This poem is one I had a reading when I did my +2. Now I see this with a different eye... It is so deep in sense, so great in style and so amazing as a whole!

56 49 Reply
Kimberly Kastner 28 November 2010

It's about how even though we die physically, our souls still live on forever. Death can never, ever take our souls and spirits away, and so It/He should 'be not proud.' Great poem; I liked it even though it took me a while to decipher ye olde spelling! : -)

54 37 Reply
Claudia Krizay 21 April 2011

I like this poem because it reminds me of John Gunther's book about his son who died of brain cancer 'Death Be Not Proud' -a very moving poem with a lot of meaning and depth-

45 43 Reply
Steven Mitchell 08 January 2022

But that poem has nothing to do with this one. This is pretty shallow.

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Sylvia Frances Chan 03 June 2024

Congratulations for the metaphysical poet John Donne. Most deserving. Top marks!

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MAHTAB BANGALEE 10 February 2024

Death- the ultimate fate of life; so there is no ego can enjoy life immortally; be not proud on the earth against all creations.

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Dr Dillip K Swain 10 February 2024

I am not matured enough to comprehend this poem. Maybe I will grasp it in later part of my life

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Sylvia Frances Chan 10 February 2024

I still remember my University years about this metaphysical poet.. England was in an entirely problematic era.

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Sylvia Frances Chan 10 February 2024

The powerlessness of death. According to Donne, death is but a pathway to eternal life, and as such, it is not something mighty and dreadful as some may believe it to be. Donne's realism and optimism resonated with the public during this tumultuous time.in England

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John Donne

John Donne

London, England
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