Death be not proud Questions Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is the author of “Death, Be Not Proud”?
A: The author of “Death, Be Not Proud” is John Donne.
Q: What type of sonnet is “Death, Be Not Proud”?
A: “Death, Be Not Proud” is a Petrarchan sonnet.
Q: What is the central idea of the poem?
A: The central idea of the poem is the personification and denouncement of Death.
Q: What does Donne compare Death to in the poem?
A: Donne compares Death to rest and sleep in the poem.
Q: What does Donne suggest about life after death?
A: Donne suggests that after our “one short sleep” in Death, we wake to eternal life.
Q: What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
A: The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDD CEE.
Q: What does Donne call Death in the poem?
A: Donne calls Death a slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men.
Q: What does Donne say about the best men in the poem?
A: Donne says that even the best men eventually die.
Q: What does Donne say about the power of Death?
A: Donne argues that Death is not as powerful or dreadful as it is often perceived to be.
Q: What does Donne say will happen to Death in the end?
A: Donne says that “Death, thou shalt die.”
Q: What does Donne refer to as “thy pictures” in the poem?
A: Donne refers to rest and sleep as “thy pictures” in the poem.
Q: What does Donne say can induce a sleep as good as or better than Death?
A: Donne says that poppy (a reference to opium) or charms can induce such a sleep.
Q: What does Donne mean by “soul’s delivery” in the poem?
A: By “soul’s delivery”, Donne means the deliverance of the soul to eternal life after death.
Q: What does Donne mean by “one short sleep past” in the poem?
A: By “one short sleep past”, Donne means the mortal death.
Q: What is the tone of the poem?
A: The tone of the poem is defiant and confident.
Q: What is the main figure of speech used in the poem?
A: The main figure of speech used in the poem is personification.
Q: What does Donne challenge in the poem?
A: Donne challenges the power and fear associated with Death in the poem.
Q: What does Donne believe about the soul?
A: Donne believes in the immortality of the soul.
Q: What does Donne associate Death with in the poem?
A: Donne associates Death with poison, war, and sickness in the poem.
Q: What does Donne say about the inevitability of Death?
A: Donne acknowledges the inevitability of Death but views it as a form of rest and a deliverance for the soul.
Short Answer Questions
Q: How does John Donne personify Death in the poem?
A: Donne personifies Death as a proud and powerful entity, but then proceeds to challenge and belittle it. He addresses Death directly, as if it were a person capable of feeling pride, and argues against its perceived power and dreadfulness.
Q: What is the significance of the line “Death, thou shalt die”?
A: This line is a paradox that encapsulates the central theme of the poem. It suggests that Death itself will cease to exist after the resurrection and the start of eternal life. It’s a powerful statement of Donne’s Christian faith and his belief in life after death.
Q: How does Donne use irony in the poem?
A: Donne uses irony when he refers to Death as “poor Death”, implying that Death is not as powerful as it thinks it is because it cannot truly kill him. This is ironic because Death is usually perceived as a powerful and fearful entity.
Q: What is the central theme of the poem?
A: The central theme of the poem is the defiance of Death. Donne argues that Death is not a fearsome figure, but rather a slave to the human experience and the will of God. He presents the belief in eternal life after death, stating that “And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die”.
Q: How does Donne compare Death to sleep and rest in the poem?
A: Donne compares Death to rest and sleep, which are generally considered pleasurable. He suggests that Death is merely a representation or image (“thy pictures be”) of these states. This comparison serves to diminish the fear associated with Death, presenting it instead as a form of ultimate rest or sleep that should not be dreaded but seen as a source of “much pleasure”.
Q: What does Donne mean by “soul’s delivery” in the poem?
A: By “soul’s delivery”, Donne means the deliverance of the soul to eternal life after death. It suggests a release or liberation of the soul from the mortal body, reinforcing the theme of the immortality of the soul and life after death.
Q: How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning?
A: The poem follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, consisting of an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the last six lines). The octave presents the argument against the power of Death, while the sestet provides a resolution, reinforcing the belief in eternal life after death.
Q: How does Donne use metaphors in the poem?
A: Donne uses several metaphors in the poem. He compares Death to rest and sleep, which are generally considered pleasurable. He also compares Death to a slave, suggesting that it is controlled by other factors and is not as powerful as it seems.
Q: What is the tone of the poem?
A: The tone of the poem is defiant and confident. Donne challenges the power of Death and undermines its perceived dreadfulness. His tone reflects his strong faith and his belief in the immortality of the soul and life after death.
Q: How does the poem reflect Donne’s religious beliefs?
A: The poem reflects Donne’s Christian faith and his belief in the immortality of the soul and life after death. He presents Death not as an end, but as a beginning of eternal life. The final line, “And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die”, is a powerful statement of his faith.
