Death Be Not Proud

"Death Be Not Proud"
John Donne

This poem relies on the use of anthropomorphism. Death normally is an inanimate and abstract object. In this poem, Death is given different characteristics. Donne uses adjectives like proud, mighty, and  dreadful to describe death. In addition, Donne states that "Thou (death) art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men"(Donne). This image vividly describes death in a manner such as one would describe a human. Normally people view death as an intimidating, wild, and very powerful force. By describing death as a type of human slave, the author makes death less frightening by describing it as an inferior person. This seems like Death does not decide when one's life is over, but fate, chance, kings and desperate men do. Donne further lessens the fear of death by showing that death could die too. This would occur when people reach eternal life. "One short sleep passed, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die" (Donne).