The central idea, or theme, of “Richard Cory” is that wealth and status don't ensure happiness.
By the way, could you please maybe check out my questions? Thanks!
They sure are missing. Perhaps you should post the passage so this can be answered.
Sonnet 10 of the Holy Sonnets by John Donne, the figure of speech used in the above lines is personification.
Personification is the figure of which attribute a human quality to an abstract figure. In other words, personification refers to attributing human characteristics to anything non-human.
In the above lines, John Donne personifies Death, asking it not to be arrogant or conceited for being powerful. He tells him that he is not a thing to fear and is a pitiful and weak thing it can not cause death to the poet.
