Different Deaths in Death Be Not Proud and Do Not Go Gentle Essay

I feel uncomfortable making comparisons because a sure-fire work of art, whether it is a poem or a painting, has to be judged on its own merits. Death Be Not Proud and Do not go gentle are both great poems, by two poets with unalike philosophic outlooks and different ways of looking at the world, written at different times, and in different styles. On the surface both these poets seem to be talking about the same things but a careful reading of the poems arrangement that their views differ in both substance and in style. John Donne was a metaphysical poet of the early 17th Century, a clergyman, the Dean of St Pauls in London (WikiSource). The label metaphysical was attached by the critic Dr. Samuel Johnson to a group of 17th century poets who shared a common style they diligent wit, subtle argument and linked our ordinary life to the eternal, looking beyond the palpable (Lukcs). Dylan Thomas was a mid-20th century Welshman, who worked for the BBC and drank himself to death before he turn forty. Apart from great poetic talent, there is little in common in their poems. John Donne writes about death. In fact he addresses death flat Death be not proud, you are neither mighty nor dreadful, you do not really killOne short sleep past, we wake everlastingly/ And death shall be no more death thou shalt die. (Donne) The poem expresses a defiant faith in the hereafter and in resurrection. Death is course down to size with simple but powerful arguments. Dylan Thomass poem is not about death but about dying it is not an argument-based poem but an emotionally-charged poem, wordy and repetitive. The repeated phrases increase the impact of the emotion on us Do not go gentle into that good dark an... ...h but about loss. So perhaps modern poets tackle death indirectly. The modern sentiment that is acceptable is agonistship and love to mourn a friend (or a father) is therefore acceptable. This way, modern poets slide past the death problem. Works Ci tedAuden, W.H. Stop all the clocks. 1936Brooke, Rupert. The Soldier London Sidgwick & Jackson, 1915.John Donne.19 November 2007 Madden, Frank. Exploring Literature. New York Pearson, 2007. Donne, John. Do not go gentle pps.1238-1238. Madden, Frank. Exploring Literature. New York Pearson, 2007. Thomas, Dylan. Death be not proud McGough, Roger. Let me die a young mans death Penguin new-made Poets. Vol 10. London 1972. Metaphysical poets. 22 November 2007