The critic Joe Nutt writes that "it takes a brave man to mock death"[1]. This observation was made in reference to John Donne's Holy Sonnet Throughout the sonnet, Donne constantly mocks, debilitates, and deconstructs a personified Death, peppering the poem with Christian theology and overtly combative rhetoric. Through the sonnet Donne leaves the reader with two concluding 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 altering our ultimate perception of death. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The persona that Donne adopts for the poem is one that clearly possesses bold, confident, and witty characteristics, maintaining both showmanship and stoicism to analyze the idea of ​​death. Ridiculing the apostrophized Death, Donne presents a state of mind that can only be admired for its bravado and assertiveness. The first two lines of the poem, "Death be not proud, though some have called you / Mighty and terrible, for you are not so",[2] provide a clear interpretation of a defiant tone. The speaker challenges Death's perception of himself, linking it to false pride and the misconception that he is "powerful and terrible." Donne thus shows an instinctive opposition to the idea that death is something to be feared, presenting the basis of the argument that he will carry forward throughout the rest of the poem. Donne immediately makes a joke about the figure of Death and thus is able to lay the foundation for his perception of this force. Lines three and four continue this taunt of Death, “For those whom you think, you will overthrow.” , / Don't die, poor death'. (Lines 3-4) The use of the word "think" questions Death's intelligence and discards the idea that Death could be an omniscient God-like power, while "overthrow" is used in place of the more obvious kill . While killing suggests closure and the total end of a life, “overthrow” suggests something more temporary or reversible. The temporary insinuation of 'reversal' is emphasized by 'Do not die' in the next line, Donne therefore presents an inability on the part of Death to adequately fulfill his role. This role is further mocked 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 actual and complete experience of death must be even more fulfilling, thus further demonstrating that death is nothing to fear but rather something to enjoy. This pleasure found in death, however, can be achieved elsewhere such as “the poppy, or spells can also make us sleep,” (line 11) referring to the opiate drugs that can create a state equal to death. Death thus becomes obsolete and unnecessary, as Donne has robbed it of its purpose, the character he embodies stands up for what most men fear and displays a courage and strength that the reader should attempt to sustain. The structure of the poem continues the provocation of Death, the use of iambic pentameter placing emphasis on some words that mock him and his position in the universe. Line nine, the first line of the sonnet sextet, "Thou art the slave of fate, of chance, of kings and desperate men" (line. 58