John Donne uses metaphysical, poetry and other techniques to illustrate that Death does not need to be feared. The poem uses many poetic devices, along with metaphysical ones, to personify Death. It also undermines his power.
The speaker makes a powerful statement. “For those who you think you overthrow/Die not, poor death”. Death, personified as an individual that the poet talks to, is meant to demonstrate that Death might not be as godlike as people once thought. The sonnet’s style, written in iambic-pentameter, also reflects this personification. The author uses this meter to show that Death is a person and can be addressed as such. Death is explained to by the speaker as being “one sleep past that we wake from forever”. The comparison between Death and sleep is made to demonstrate that Death does not represent the end, but is just a break from living. The comparison shows that Death is not something to be afraid of.
“From sleep and rest, which are but thy images be / much enjoyment; then much more must come from you.” This irony shows how the speaker enjoys sleep and that Death, as an extended form of sleep, must also be enjoyable. This introspective look at Death’s power shows that it is nothing to fear. The speaker uses a mocking tone to show that Death, far from being a terrifying entity, is actually a peaceful sleeping state. The speaker concedes that “our finest men are with you,” but taunts, “[but] the rest of their bones & soul’s delivery.” The speaker is basically saying death can take away your best men but has no lasting impact, as life is still enjoyable after you die.
Then, he goes on to attack the death’s dominant power, claiming that “Thou ist slave to chance, fate, kings, or desperate men”. Death is portrayed in a very pathetic way by the use of words like “slave”, “desperate”, and “fate”. It’s not as powerful as we think. This realistic perspective on Death shows Death as not being the final word. Ironically, she compares Death, next, to charms or poppies as “both can help us sleep”. Ironically, this comparison is also meant to minimize Death by showing that there’s nothing to be afraid of.
The author also incorporates religious references as befits a metaphysical poetry. The speaker compares Death to sleep and says “We will wake forever / death shall no longer exist; Death, you must die”. The paradox is meant to be a statement of profound meaning, a final blow dealt to Death as a personified entity, proving that Death was nothing more then a window into the next world. The paradox’s last couplet aligns perfectly with the intended purpose of sonnets, which is to conclude the argument made in previous lines.
The speaker, using irony and wit as metaphysical elements, tears down the notion that Death is a divine, destructive force. The structure of the poem also undermines Death’s authority through the use of Iambic pentameters and couplets. In the poem, personification is heavily used to depict Death as weak and mortal like humans. It aligns with speaker’s belief that Death should be respected. The poem is a good example of metaphysical poetry as it uses wit, irony and paradox to reveal a truth about Death and God.
