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Holy Sonnet 10
Holy Sonnet X by John Donne. It starts with "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee"
1 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2011
12 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
John Donne
888 books706 followersJohn Donne was an English poet, preacher and a major representative of the metaphysical poets of the period. His works are notable for their realistic and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. His poetry is noted for its vibrancy of language and inventiveness of metaphor, especially as compared to that of his contemporaries.
Despite his great education and poetic talents, he lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends. In 1615 he became an Anglican priest and, in 1621, was appointed the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London.
Despite his great education and poetic talents, he lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends. In 1615 he became an Anglican priest and, in 1621, was appointed the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 23, 2017
" And Death shall be no more, Death thou shalt die. "
An extraordinary poem.
Just as what was said in my favorite movie " Wit " about this sonnet, " the punctuation marks in Helen Gardner's edition in the last line is not absurdity, just a small comma separates the life from life everlasting ."
An extraordinary poem.
Just as what was said in my favorite movie " Wit " about this sonnet, " the punctuation marks in Helen Gardner's edition in the last line is not absurdity, just a small comma separates the life from life everlasting ."
November 8, 2014
Among my favorite poems. short but exceptionally conveys the message
August 26, 2022
Yeah, that was alright. Better than the last one, but still didn't resonate with me particularly well. I don't think I recommend.
Read for free here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
Read for free here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
August 3, 2020
Short but beautifully written
May 30, 2022
This poem is another of the Holy Sonnet series of Donne. It is addressed to Death, which is in general supposed to be ‘mighty and dreadful’. The poet proves that in actual fact it is neither ‘mighty’ nor ‘dreadful’. Consequently, it should not be proud.
Having stated his standpoint, Donne advances like a witty legal representative to furnish case after case to prove it. Death is not appalling, for those whom death is supposed to kill are not killed as a matter of fact. They do not give up the ghost; they only take an elongated and serene siesta. Respite and slumber bear a resemblance to death.
Just as great console and contentment results from sleep, similarly greater comfort and pleasure must result from death. That is why those who are righteous die adolescent.
Death simply liberates their souls from the penitentiary of their bodies, and offers a breather to their bodies. As Death introduces reprieve and calm, it cannot be regarded as outrageous in any way.
Death is not ‘mighty’ as well. It is not like a grand sovereign, but rather akin to a desolate slave. It is slave of providence, probability, wicked and malevolent persons, venom, conflicts and illness.
Death is not the source, but the apparatus. It obeys the call of misfortunes, kings, wicked murderers, poison, war, old age and disease. It is not a liberated agent, but a dejected servant who lives in such pitiful company as disease and infirmity.
It cannot be regarded as magnificent or potent in any way. To tell the truth, opium preparations or similar other intoxicants, or drugs supposed to have paranormal properties, can persuade improved snooze and with a far gentler and simple operation.
There is no reason at all for death to be conceited of its powers. Death can make us sleep only for a short while.
After our diminutive sleep in the grave, we will awake in the other world and live there everlastingly.
Then death will have no power over us. Thus, as a matter of fact, death does not exterminate us; it is death itself which dies.
The sonnet ends with an irony which the poet has by now proved and established.
Having stated his standpoint, Donne advances like a witty legal representative to furnish case after case to prove it. Death is not appalling, for those whom death is supposed to kill are not killed as a matter of fact. They do not give up the ghost; they only take an elongated and serene siesta. Respite and slumber bear a resemblance to death.
Just as great console and contentment results from sleep, similarly greater comfort and pleasure must result from death. That is why those who are righteous die adolescent.
Death simply liberates their souls from the penitentiary of their bodies, and offers a breather to their bodies. As Death introduces reprieve and calm, it cannot be regarded as outrageous in any way.
Death is not ‘mighty’ as well. It is not like a grand sovereign, but rather akin to a desolate slave. It is slave of providence, probability, wicked and malevolent persons, venom, conflicts and illness.
Death is not the source, but the apparatus. It obeys the call of misfortunes, kings, wicked murderers, poison, war, old age and disease. It is not a liberated agent, but a dejected servant who lives in such pitiful company as disease and infirmity.
It cannot be regarded as magnificent or potent in any way. To tell the truth, opium preparations or similar other intoxicants, or drugs supposed to have paranormal properties, can persuade improved snooze and with a far gentler and simple operation.
There is no reason at all for death to be conceited of its powers. Death can make us sleep only for a short while.
After our diminutive sleep in the grave, we will awake in the other world and live there everlastingly.
Then death will have no power over us. Thus, as a matter of fact, death does not exterminate us; it is death itself which dies.
The sonnet ends with an irony which the poet has by now proved and established.
Read
August 27, 2022This is the first time that I have seen a literary piece on death expressed from this angle. So many people fear death like it’s a bully who thinks he is superior to others because he is feared by all… the poet gave him this attribute of pride... of someone full of himself.
After having framed his work in such a way, the writer set himself the task of recalling the shameful conditions in which “death” also finds itself.. (i.e., the frequent conditions in which death occurs - alongside desperate men and diseases, being around repulsive bones and so on)
He continues to mock death claiming that as soon as we die, we will be reincarnated spiritually, and will never have to deal with death again. The poem is concluding with a biblical allusion there. -not surprising, considering it was from the 17th century..
Additionally, Just by seeing the title “Death be not proud”, you can sense the voice of the poet, of God, feels like that of a parent who berates his eldest son (Death) for his tyrannical tendencies from start to finish. Cadets (us, humans, his audience) listening to the bully get his ears pulled by this God, would start laughing, and would be less afraid of the bully at that moment.
The purpose of the poem was to relieve death anxiety in a unique and short way, that could make it memorable for everyone each time these thoughts sprung.
It is a refreshing work.
After having framed his work in such a way, the writer set himself the task of recalling the shameful conditions in which “death” also finds itself.. (i.e., the frequent conditions in which death occurs - alongside desperate men and diseases, being around repulsive bones and so on)
He continues to mock death claiming that as soon as we die, we will be reincarnated spiritually, and will never have to deal with death again. The poem is concluding with a biblical allusion there. -not surprising, considering it was from the 17th century..
Additionally, Just by seeing the title “Death be not proud”, you can sense the voice of the poet, of God, feels like that of a parent who berates his eldest son (Death) for his tyrannical tendencies from start to finish. Cadets (us, humans, his audience) listening to the bully get his ears pulled by this God, would start laughing, and would be less afraid of the bully at that moment.
The purpose of the poem was to relieve death anxiety in a unique and short way, that could make it memorable for everyone each time these thoughts sprung.
It is a refreshing work.
July 11, 2017
This is definitely a poem about thumbing your nose at death and putting death in its place. While correct, Donne's use of biblical language without mentioning God, Himself, is a bit disconcerting and disappointing.
November 21, 2014
3.5 stars
February 3, 2026
“Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.”
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2026
Four stars for a poem because I have a difficult time understanding poetry but after reading this again in my HS AP English class and talking about it, I realized I did understand it! I loved the Biblical meaning of it and it’s interesting because for most people-unless you are incredibly familiar with The Bible-the Christian lines are kind of a blink and you’ll miss it thing. I really loved it and I loved the Christian message and the poems way of spreading the Gospel! I will definitely be looking more at Donne’s work this year, especially as my faith has been getting stronger! I especially loved how the author explained how death is not as bad because Heaven is eternal. Highly recommend for everyone, especially those unsure about Christianity, its deep roots, or want to dive deeper into theology!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2021
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
February 17, 2022
added this just for the reading challenge LOL
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November 10, 2024one of my favourite sonnets :)
Read
August 11, 2025my fucking 9-11am summer literature class 😰💔🖤🥀🐺⛓️
February 15, 2025
Favorite Lines
- Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men
- One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
- Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men
- One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
January 7, 2026
LOVE this personification poem!! Love the perspective & emphasis on eternity outlasting Death.
Read
October 17, 2020Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die
July 8, 2024
While many people fear the prospect of inevitable demise, author John Donne mocks the idea of death in his Christain sonnet “Death, be not Proud.” In the poem, the speaker personifies death and claims that it is weak, having no power over others. Because Donne defines death is being nothing more then a momentary moment of sleep between people’s life on earth and their eternal destiny in the afterlife, he is able to claim that death itself will die, as death has no control over when people will transition from earth to the afterlife.
I had a lot of fun reading Donne’s poem because of the tone and unique perspective that he offers on death. I love how Donne is able to turn something that most people of terrified of and turn it into something that is so weak and idiotic that he almost pities it. The paradox at the end of the poem is profound and really makes the reader reconsider their views on death. The only minor flaw in Donne’s argument that death is something that should not be feared comes from the fact that not everyone believes in an afterlife. For those who do not believe in eternal life, Donne’s argument is a lot weaker, although his comparison to death as a slumber still gives him room to argue that death is not nearly as scary as people think. That being said, I would say that Donne did a pretty good job convincing people that death should “not be proud” through his use of logos. Overall, I was amazed by how much Donne was able to accomplish and say and do in such a short Sonnett!
I had a lot of fun reading Donne’s poem because of the tone and unique perspective that he offers on death. I love how Donne is able to turn something that most people of terrified of and turn it into something that is so weak and idiotic that he almost pities it. The paradox at the end of the poem is profound and really makes the reader reconsider their views on death. The only minor flaw in Donne’s argument that death is something that should not be feared comes from the fact that not everyone believes in an afterlife. For those who do not believe in eternal life, Donne’s argument is a lot weaker, although his comparison to death as a slumber still gives him room to argue that death is not nearly as scary as people think. That being said, I would say that Donne did a pretty good job convincing people that death should “not be proud” through his use of logos. Overall, I was amazed by how much Donne was able to accomplish and say and do in such a short Sonnett!
June 6, 2022
Death Be Not Proud, by John Donne
A take on 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
John Donne has become one of my favourite poets.
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die
A take on 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
John Donne has become one of my favourite poets.
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die
December 22, 2024
"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so"
*Hear me out*
Sighing in the corner as we speak!
John Donne literally personified DEATH itself, he starts the first stanza by telling Death not to be too proud of himself, he is neither powerful nor mighty, he mocks death, MOCKS DEATH YOU ALL, he says that people think of death as sleep and rest but sleep and rest brings comfort to people so death too shall bring comfort to people, but it doesn't, rather Death takes away the best of people away first (John Donne slayed this line) Death isn't an independent force - its just an interruption like sleep before one enters the Heaven and death will too disappear once the enternal life exists. ✨
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so"
*Hear me out*
Sighing in the corner as we speak!
John Donne literally personified DEATH itself, he starts the first stanza by telling Death not to be too proud of himself, he is neither powerful nor mighty, he mocks death, MOCKS DEATH YOU ALL, he says that people think of death as sleep and rest but sleep and rest brings comfort to people so death too shall bring comfort to people, but it doesn't, rather Death takes away the best of people away first (John Donne slayed this line) Death isn't an independent force - its just an interruption like sleep before one enters the Heaven and death will too disappear once the enternal life exists. ✨
June 8, 2023
"And so he has gone, and I am left forever with the awful knowledge that he was and is the best thing I ever did with my life."
A quote that encapsulates the profound impact Johnny had on Gunther's life, highlighting the profound love and admiration a father feels for his son. It represents the essence of "Death Be Not Proud," reminding us of the enduring power of love and the lasting influence of those we hold dear.
July 7, 2024
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This poem has the most generic plot as it can be. It feels like the authors of poems can only written poems about death or love.
The writing style here was pretty weak it might be just me who is very picky about what I liked and what I don’t like. But in my opinion it was pretty uninteresting.
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This poem has the most generic plot as it can be. It feels like the authors of poems can only written poems about death or love.
The writing style here was pretty weak it might be just me who is very picky about what I liked and what I don’t like. But in my opinion it was pretty uninteresting.
May 15, 2025
3.75/5 🌟
"Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me."
A very powerful poem about a very powerful and unrelenting thing. As someone begs for death to not take them just yet, that death will let them live just a moment longer.
"Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me."
A very powerful poem about a very powerful and unrelenting thing. As someone begs for death to not take them just yet, that death will let them live just a moment longer.
February 3, 2023
It was good but a little boring. Still really good though
January 13, 2024
reading this poem for a class
February 19, 2024
The title alone gives it 5 stars
August 30, 2024
I didn’t like this one as much as The Wild Iris, it was too dissy…?? Iykyk
June 3, 2025
Fuck death all my homies hate death
October 20, 2025
"poor Death"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews