Death and Time (Donne and Herbert)

In poetry of the Seventeenth Century, many different views can be discovered about time and death. Perceptions of time and death have been symbolized throughout history. Often they can be categorized with the same meaning. Time and death has been given different personas such as good or evil. Poets, John Donne and George Herbert can be among the most well known authors that characterized time and death. In Donne’s “Holy Sonnet 10”, he directly approaches Death. In Herbert’s, “Time” he also addresses death, but calls it time. From two very different prospectives, Donne and Herbert both directly address death and its effect on civilization dealing with God and eternal life.
In John Donne’s “Holy Sonnet 10”, Donne approaches Death with an aggressive approach, using a serious and yet belittling tone. The opening of the poem, “Death, be not proud…for thou art not so;” (1-2) shows his challenge to Death’s authority and power. He goes on to tell Death, “those whom...