On Death

by John Donne

Dean of St. Paul’s, John Donne was feted in his day not just as a poet but also as an inspired and inspiring preacher, and these four extended meditations on death are amongst his most powerful and dramatic writings. The magnificent “Death’s Duel” is published here alongside his Lent sermons for the two previous years (1628 and 1629), along with his Easter Day sermon of 1619, preached on the occasion of the King’s sickness. Together they create a fascinating study of early 17th-century attitudes towards death.

112 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2008

About the author

John 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.

Reviews

[Dhanaraj Rajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of the four sermons (mostly Lenten and one on Easter)that John Donne gave as a minister of the Established Church. At times it is interesting and there are few expressions well said (specially the first part of the last sermon that speaks of human life on earth as moving from one death to another). But then when he goes into the theological part he can be boring or dry. Not a book for all.