And 'Holy Sonnet 10 And Philip Larkin'sAubade'

In a sense, a felt that Donne was saying that death dies to us because we no longer have to experience it. This was my interpretation of the poem, and I feel that this poem speaks to me because as a Christian, I understand that death is not the end, but merely a phase of transition in to the afterlife. Those of us who have faith in our God and the lord Jesus Christ, know that our souls rest eternally in heaven with God when we die. I think the fear of death arises because of the mysterious and unknown aspect of death, but for those who belief in the word of God, death no longer holds power over them.

Donne's view of death is that it is an insignificant thing that has no power over people. By saying "One short sleep past, we wake eternally" (13), he illustrates that he believes that there is some sort of afterlife. In fact, he says that the time that death has power

For centuries, humans have struggled with this idea that haunts their existence. The notion that feels like a far off dream that will never reach its destination; death “Death, be not proud,” by John Donne, “Because I could not stop for Death,” and “I heard a Fly buzz when I died,” both written by Emily Dickinson, explore the meaning of leaving this earth for good. The writers excellently depict the feelings that come with the thought of no longer living. They show that dying does not end on this earth but that something greater awaits. The poems “Death, be not proud,” “Because I could not stop for Death,” and “I heard a Fly buzz,” portray the meaning of death with excellence.

In society, death is usually eyed with consternation. In “Meditation 17,” John Donne faces his own mortality, and sees how humanity is connected as a whole. John Donne uses several literary connotations like metaphors, similes, synecdoche, allusions/personification, and symbolism to establish themes in this work.

Mortality is a moving and compelling subject. This end is a confirmation of one’s humanity and the end of one’s substance. Perhaps that is why so many writers and poets muse about their own death in their writings. Keats and John Donne are two such examples of musing poets who share the human condition experience in When I Have Fears and Holy Sonnet 1.

When the subject of death is addressed by poets Larkin and Abse they imply that death is a certain and predetermined demise to our lives. However through analysing there style of poetic writing, readers can appreciate their different attitudes towards death. Larkin appears accepting of death, acknowledging fate in a realistic way. Abse however is emotionally impacted and overall unaccepting of the part it plays in our lives.

John Donne’s diction, detail, point of view, metaphysical format, and tone used in “Holy Sonnet 10” convey both a feeling of cynical and domination, and also a sense of mockery of death. The effects on the reader include assurance and confidence in facing death.

In “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” it is dreaded due to the fact that it is thought to be a painful and miserable ending. In “Holy Sonnet 10,” Death is viewed almost as an accomplishment. Dying means that you have made it to the end and you will live the rest of your life in eternity, worry free of death. “Holy Sonnet 10” can make a reader more comfortable with the thought of death while “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” can make a reader terrified of just the thought. We do not know how to understand Death fully so it is difficult for us to have feelings for

Their faith is presented as being heavily deceptive, and their emotions described as “deep hoarse tears, as if a kind of dumb / And idiot child within them survives” (14-15). The portrayal of these religious people presents in the mind of the reader an image of a completely ignorant dunce, or even a jackass, whereas describing their tears as “hoarse,” was a homophone likely chosen with malicious intent. Larkin’s fear of death contributes not only to his depiction of religion, but also his struggle to accept it, seeing as he viewed religion unable to save people from suffering and death. The poem “Aubade” describes at length the speaker’s struggle and fear of death and how he feels “religion in the past or rational thinking in the modern world of science can by no means drive away…” their imminent death (Bao 189). The speaker is paralyzed by the thought of “unresting death” that is “a whole day nearer” every day he comes home from work (5). In the extremely morbid last stanza of the poem the speaker proclaims his belief that “no trick dispels” death, and that “religion used to try” (22), further showing that “the only real obstacle between Larkin and faith is his inability to accept death as part of the divine plan” (Schray 56). Considering Larkin to be an atheist however is not the most accurate representation of the poet, and his frequent use of religion, as dire as it may be, indicates a more complicated notion.

Donne writes that death should not be feared. Even the strongest, most powerful men do not escape death. When death takes lives, it is not the end. Believers will have a short sleep then wake to eternity because death will not prevail! We succumb to the fate of war and sickness, but the powerful theme stands firm that death will not prevail. “Death, be not Proud” boasts about an impeccable example that as God’s creation we receive the gift of choice, eternal life after

     Death is a very complicated subject that people view very differently in different situations. In John Donne’s Holy Sonnets, he writes about death in Meditations X and XVII. Both meditations use many similar rhetorical devices and appeals, but the tones of the meditations are very disparate. Donne’s different messages in Meditations X and XVII convey tones of defiance and acquiescence towards death, respectively. His apparent change of attitude towards death could be accounted for by his differing life situations while he was writing the meditations: mid-life, and near-death.

William Shakespeare was a very well known writer in the British literary community and his pieces are still read and enjoyed today. Shakespeare is also known to have written a collection of poems which are sonnets. This essay will consist of a close reading to William Shakespeare’s sonnet 73 which deals with the theme of life, death and aging. The sonnet constructs a complex idea that the themes of life and death can be connected together.

Is death a slave to fate or is it a dreaded reality? People differ on the opinion of death, some people view death as a new beginning which should not be feared, while many people perceive death as an atrocious monster. Death be not proud, by John Donne is a poem that challenges death and the idea of its ferocity. Donne’s work is greatly influenced by the death of his countless family members, friends and spouse. Donne was not only a poet, but he was also a priest in the Church of England, so his interest in religion and his belief in eternal life after death, also contributed greatly to his work. The poem Death be not proud, is a metaphysical poem about death, in which John Donne undermines, ridicules, and determines the meaning of death, according to his perspective.

The progression of societal beliefs regarding our approach towards death is dependent upon the changing nature of both cultural and historical contexts. In Donne’s Holy Sonnet ‘Death be not proud’ he uses second person narration to address “Death” as “thou”, “thee” and “thy”, death is not considered conceptually but anthropomorphised as the poems fundamental pride. In ‘Death be not proud’, we see how the rumination of death is shaped by Elizabethan values. Through the subverted Petrarchan structure and style, Donne’s use of apostrophe denigrates the omnipotence of death and lowers its statue to the level of the poet. This corresponds with contextual religious values of certainty in external afterlife and death as a transitory stage. This

The central theme, introduced quite early within the poem, is the helplessness of death. Throughout the poem the speaker belittles death and approaches it with such bravery and poise. Donne confronts death by saying it is not in any regard “mighty and dreadful” (2), but rather brings “much pleasure” (7). Death is personified in the poem, and in this regard, possess no greater power over man. The speaker of the poem is Donne himself. He uses his literary tools of rhetoric and poetic devices to belittle death. Throughout the poem, the speaker comes across as being slightly arrogant, but he refuses to show weakness. His arrogance shows that he is not afraid of death as he demands death not to be proud. Donne takes the association of death and sleep, and reinvents this comparison to a greater effect. He describes sleep as being “pictures” (5) of death and death is no more different or more frightening. He extends this metaphor throughout the poem. In the second last line of the poem he