death be not proud.doc

Title and Publication Information ....... The poem first appeared as“ Holy X” ina collection of een s by John Donne (1572-1631). However, its title came to be known as“ Death, Be Not Proud ”(after the first four words of the poem). It was written between 1601 and 1610 — the exact year is uncertain — and published after Donne died. Type of Work ....... "Death, Be Not Proud" isa (fourteen-line poem) similar in format to that established in Italy by Petrarch (1304-1374), a Roman Catholic priest who popularized the form before it was adopted and modified in England . Petrarch's s each consist of an eight-line stanza (octave) and a six-line stanza (sestet). The first stanza presents a theme, and the second stanza develops it. Rhyme Scheme ....... The rhyme scheme of "Death, Be Not Proud" is as follows: ABBA, ABBA, CDDC, EE. Meter ....... The meter varies, although most of the poem is in iambic pentameter , as in lines 5-7: ....... 1 .................... 2 .................... 3 ................ 4 ............... 5 From REST ..| .. and SLEEP , ..| .. which BUT ..| .. thy PIC ..| .. tures BE ....... 1 .................... 2 .................... 3 .................. 4 ...................... 5 Much PLEA ..| .. sure; THEN ..| .. from THEE ..| .. much MORE ..| .. must FLOW , ........ 1 ................. 2 ............... 3 .................. 4 ............... 5 And SOON ..| .. est OUR