Critic Joe Nutt writes that “it takes a bold man to taunt death”[1]. This observation was made in reference to John Donne's Holy Sonnet X, "Death Be Not Proud", and accurately describes both the tone and subject matter of the poem. Throughout the sonnet, Donne constantly mocks, weakens, and deconstructs a personified death, littering the poem with Christian theology and overtly combative rhetoric. Throughout the sonnet, Donne leaves the reader with two conclusive ideas: first, that the individual can, and most likely should, face death with a composed and confident character; and second, that this can be achieved by changing our definitive perception of death. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The character Donne adopts for the poem is one who clearly exhibits bold, confident, and witty characteristics, maintaining both showmanship and stoicism in dissecting the idea. of death. In ridiculing the apostrophied Death, Donne presents a state of mentality that can only be admired for its bravado and self-assurance. The first two lines of the poem, “Death be not proud, though some have called thee / Mighty and fearsome, for thou art not”[2], provide clear expression of a mocking tone. The speaker questions Death's own perception of himself, linking it to false pride and the misconception that he is "mighty and terrible." Donne thus shows an instinctive opposition to the idea that death is something to be feared, presenting the basis of the argument he will make throughout the rest of the poem. Donne immediately makes a joke about the figure of Death and is thus able to lay the foundations for his perception of this force. Lines three and four continue this taunt of Death: “For those whom you think, you overthrow. , / Don't die, poor death'. (Lines 3-4) The use of the word "think'st" casts doubt on Death's intelligence and rejects the idea that Death could be an omniscient, God-like power, while "overthrow" is used instead of the more obvious word “kill”. . While killing suggests closure and total end to a life, “overthrow” suggests something more temporary or reversible. The temporary insinuation of “reversal” is emphasized by “Die not” in the next line; Donne thus presents an inability on the part of Death to adequately fulfill his role. This role is further ridiculed in lines five and six: "From rest and sleep, which are but thy images, / Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow." (Lines 5-6) Donne suggests that the states of “rest and sleep” from which pleasure arises are “images,” or imitations, of death. This suggests that if the imitation of death is pleasurable, then the real and complete experience of death must be even more fulfilling, thus proving that death is nothing to fear but rather something to be enjoyed. This pleasure found in death, however, can be obtained elsewhere since "the poppy or charms can also make us sleep" (line 11), referring to opiate drugs that can create a state equal to death. Death thus becomes obsolete and useless, Donne having stripped it of its purpose, the character he embodies defending what most men fear and demonstrating a courage and strength that the reader should try to maintain . The structure of the poem continues the mockery of Death, the use of iambic pentameter emphasizing certain words that mock him and his position in the universe. Line nine, the first line of the sesnet of. 58