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Death be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for, thou are not so . . . .


Source: Donne, John. “Sonnet X.” Bartleby.com. Bartleby.com, n.d. Web. 8 June 2011.




Explain the poetic techniques used in the opening lines of John Donne’s Sonnet X.


Verified Answer :

It almost looks like they use personification. A figure of speech in which non-human or inanimate things are given human characteristics or abilities.
You could also talk about the mood and tone the author is trying to portray (for "brownie points"). I hope this is somewhat helpful.

maribelleparkson

Sample Response: Donne is using both personification and apostrophe in these lines. He is using apostrophe when he speaks to Death as though it were a person who could hear and respond to him. He also personifies Death as if it were a person who could feel proud or be “mighty” and “dreadful.”

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