Question

In the poem "Death, be not proud" by John Donne

Answer 1

Donne criticizes death, referencing it as though it's a tangible human rather than an abstract concept. he sees death as arrogant and pompous; "why swell'st thou then?" questions death's confidence, because rest can be induced just as easily by poppy or charms, as referenced in line 11. this shows that he believes death to be no different from sleep. "one short sleep past, we wake eternally" illustrates donne's beliefs regarding the journey to the afterlife. he believes that death is nothing more than a simple rest, then it's followed by an everlasting wakefulness ("we wake eternally")--a reference to heaven. in heaven, death no longer exists and neither does rest.