Holy Sonnets: Death, be not proud

The poem “Death, be not proud” by John Donne is one that is not quite like the bulk of Donne’s poem. Typically, Donne writes poetry relating to or dealing with some form or fashion of love, but not in this poem’s case. In this poem, Death is seen as an apostrophe and is treated as if it were human, thus being personified. The speaker addresses Death on its habits and how it is nothing to fear, which also happens to be the overall theme of this poem. Literary techniques used in this poem such as enjambment, diction, and rhyme scheme contribute to the theme of not having to fear Death.
Donne’s consistent use of enjambments opens the poem to interpretation from multiple viewpoints. The tone of the poem suggests sympathy in the speaker for the personified Death. There, also shows a profound pity for Death by calling it “poor” in the fourth line of the poem. The mood of the poem is instilled with hope and an everlasting happiness from the likes of Death. This is made evident by the speaker from his constant reminder that after death, Death will be no more, therefore leaving Death to be triumphant over.
Overall, the poem shows how Death can be overcome by means of one’s eternal existence after they are dead and long gone from this earth. Donne indicates that death is something in which no one should fear or let conquer oneself. The connotation of “short sleep” in the last line of the poem can better help one to understand that Death is quick, and that afterwards Death would cease to exist. Donne wants people to realize that life should be lived without any concern for death, for thinking of it only makes it come much faster than expected.