In John Donne's "Death be Not Proud", the author uses metaphysical and poetic techniques to convey the idea that death should not be feared. In conjunction with the metaphysical elements, the poem also contains numerous poetic devices to personify Death and undermine its power and importance. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The speaker begins with a strong statement, explaining "For those you think to overthrow / Do not die, poor death." Death is personified as a human being who the speaker speaks to in order to show that death is not as divine as was once thought. This personification is also reflected in the style of the poem, a sonnet, as it is written in iambic pentameter. This meter effectively imitates conversation, and by using it the author shows that one can speak to Death as if it were a simple person and not a divine power. The speaker explains to Death that he can't really kill anyone, because he is only "a short sleep, we wake eternally [from]". This comparison of sleep to death is used to prove that death is not the end of everything, it is simply a short break in life. Again, this undermines Death's supposed power to show death as something not to be feared. The speaker goes on to compare sleep to death, commenting: “Rest and sleep, which are but thy images / much pleasure; then from you much more must flow.” This irony means that the speaker finds sleep pleasant, and because death is just prolonged sleep, it must also be pleasant. This introspective meditation on the power of death shows a new truth: death is not something to fear. The passage itself takes on a mocking tone as the speaker breaks down Death's supposed power to describe it as peaceful sleep, in doing so he shows that Death is not as frightening as first thought. 'origin. The speaker admits that "our best men with you are leaving", only to taunt "[but] the rest of their bones and their souls". Essentially, he is saying that death can take away the best men, but it has no lasting effect, because what happens after death is pleasant. Then he directly attacks the dominating power of death, asserting: "You are the slave of fate, of chance, of kings and desperate men." The diction of “slave” and “desperate” depicts Death in an almost pathetic light, showing that it is not as omnipotent as is assumed. This realistic vision of death serves to topple the formidable pedestal on which it rests, to show that death is not the end of everything. Ironically, the speaker then compares death to poppies and hornbeams, because “[those] can also make us sleep.” This ironic comparison also serves to minimize death, in order to show that we have nothing to fear from it. Finally, the author incorporates religious allusions as befits a metaphysical poem. Comparing death to sleep, the speaker relates: “We wake eternally / and death will be no more; Death, you will die.” The paradox delivers a profound affirmation, a final blow to the self of Death personified, to show that she is nothing more than a window to the afterlife. The final verse in which the paradox resides aligns with the predetermined purpose of a sonnet, as it functions as a conclusion to the argument presented in the preceding lines. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized item from our expert now. throughout the poem, the speaker.