Death Unit- Poem 4

Death, be not proud

By: John Donne

"Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me (Page 971)." John Donne, the author of "Death, be not proud," uses many figures of speech throughout the poem about death to illustrate his idea. One such powerful technique is depicted in the phrase above as personification gives death a living a personable quality. This method of writing influences the direction of the poem as it illustrates both the power and weakness of death as an eternal comfortable and natural rest. By describing death as human-like in its susceptibility to fate and chance, death becomes more approachable. In being related to the qualities of humans, death becomes less scary and fearful. 

In reading the poem about the weaknesses of death, I was reminded of the Spanish's approach to death. In Hispanic culture, death is not seen as something to be feared, but rather celebrated. For example, death is given its own holiday as the Hispanic culture celebrates the Day of the Dead. In this celebration, the Spanish welcome back the spirits of those who have passed away and celebrate the lives they lived by making alters of pictures, objects, and food related to that person. Through such celebrations, death becomes something not feared, but human-like and embraceable.