John Donne Holly Sonnet X Analysis
Death, commonly viewed as an all-powerful force against life, is otherwise described in John Donne's Holy Sonnet 10. As found in any English Sonnet, there is a rhyme scheme and a standard meter. Although the standard meter is iambic pentameter, as in most English Sonnets, the rhyme scheme differs a little from the usual, consisting of ABBA ABBA CDDC AE. Sonnets convey various thoughts and feelings to the reader through the different moods set by the author. In this case the speaker having to confront Death and defeat it, sets the mood. Throughout existence, there have been many theories regarding exactly what role Death plays in the lives of those who experience it. Some think Death is the ultimate controller of all living things, while others believe it is nothing more than the act of dying once your time has come. Donne, on the other hand, has his own philosophy. The entire Sonnet, Donne speaks directly to Death. He personifies what to man has always b
Death is shown a sense of insecurity in line three when the speaker says, "For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow, die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me." Donne is telling Death that all those who it think it killed it really didn't, and that it cant kill him, again proving that Death is not what takes lives but what delivers them. Death is also compared to sleep in line five by suggesting that if much pleasure is brought by rest and sleep, then Death must have much more to offer. Dreams can only offer so much, as compared to eternal happiness will never ceases to give tranquility. een a spirit and has never been touched, seen or furthermore killed. He gives Death life, and therefore makes it mortal, exposing it to pain, torment and eventually defeat. In lines one and two Donne says "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee, Mighty and dreadful thou art not so." By referring to Death as a person, he makes it easier for the reader
Some common words found in the essay are:
Death Chance, AE Sonnets, Death Humans, Donne Death, Sonnet Donne, English Sonnet, , English Sonnets, Holy Sonnet, death slave, rhyme scheme, standard meter,
Approximate Word count = 654
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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