John Donne’s Holy Sonnets Analysis

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John Donne’s Holly Sonnet, as found in any English sonnet, there is a rhyme scheme and a standard meter. Although the rhyme differs a little from the usual Petrarchan sonnet it is still categorized as one, consisting of ABBA ABBA CDDC AE. Throughout existence, there have been many theories regarding exactly what role Death plays in the lives of humans. Some think Death is the ultimate controller of all living things, while others believe it is nothing more than the act of dying, once your time has come. Donne, on the other hand, has his own philosophy. The entire Sonnet, Donne speaks directly to Death. He starts off by saying “Death be not proud” meaning that even if other people think Death is dreadful and mighty, death isn’t frightening to him. He shows that he is not afraid by death...

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    In arguing against mourning and emotional confusion, Donne uses a series of bold and unexpected comparisons for the love between himself and his lady. Donne makes his first surprising analogy in the first stanza when he compares the approaching separation of the lovers to death. "he speaker compares his parting from his lover to the parting of the soul from a virtuous man at death. According to the speaker, "virtuous men pass mildly away" (line 1) because the virtue in their lives has assured them of glory and happiness in the afterlife; therefore, they die in peace without fear and emotion. By this he suggests that the separation of the lovers is parrallel to the separation caused by death.

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    Each four-line section expounds upon one aspect of the Trinity- God the Spirit/God the Father/God the Son. Donne continually juxtaposes the explication of aspects of the Trinity with explication of man’s relationship to God, resulting in a high degree of conflation throughout. The first line opens with a simultaneous statement of doubt and faith, “Wilt thou love God, as He thee?” While the speaker is convinced of God’s love, he doubts his ability to reciprocate. This is in contrast to many of Donne’s other Holy Sonnets in which the speaker continuously implores ...

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