Death be Not Proud Summary

Summary

In John Donne's "Death, be not proud," the speaker directly confronts Death, arguing that it shouldn't be proud of its power, as it's ultimately a temporary rest and a transition to an eternal life where Death has no control. The speaker contends that Death is merely a tool of other forces like fate, chance, and human actions, and that even in the rest it brings, Death is less powerful than sleep or other forms of oblivion. Ultimately, the poem suggests that death is not the end but a beginning, and that Death itself will eventually be overcome. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Confronting Death:

The poem starts with the direct address "Death, be not proud," challenging Death's perceived power and authority. 

Death as Rest:

The speaker compares death to rest and sleep, suggesting that it's a temporary cessation rather than an ultimate end. 

Slave to Other Forces:

The poem argues that Death is not in control, but rather a tool of fate, chance, kings, and even desperate men. 

Poison and War:

The poem mentions that Death is associated with poison, war, and illness, further highlighting its dependency on other forces. 

No Eternal Power:

The speaker emphasizes that death is not eternal, and that after death, the soul enters a state of eternal rest and life beyond the reach of Death. 

Death's Own Death:

The final line, "Death, thou shalt die," suggests that Death itself will eventually be overcome, echoing the idea of eternal life. 

Death, be not proud” Summary

• The speaker directly addresses a personified death, telling it not to be arrogant just because some people find death scary and intimidating. In fact, death is neither of these things because people don’t really die when death—whom the speaker pities—comes to them; nor will the speaker truly die when death arrives for him.

  Comparing death to rest and sleep—which are like images of death—the speaker anticipates death to be even more pleasurable than these activities. Furthermore, it’s often the best people who go with death—which represents nothing more than the resting of the body and the arrival of the soul in the afterlife.

  Death is fully controlled by fate and luck, and often administered by rulers or people acting desperately. The speaker points out that death is also associated with poison, war, and illness. Drugs and magic spells are more effective than death when it comes to rest. With all this in mind, what possible reason could death have for being so puffed up with pride?

  Death is nothing but a mere sleep in between people’s earthly lives and the eternal afterlife, in which death can visit them no more. It is instead death—or a certain idea of death as something to be scared of—that is going to die.