Question

Which line best states the theme of John Donne"s Holy Sonnet 10?

A. "...Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery"
B. "Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me"
C. "Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,"
D. "...And doest with poison, war, and sickness dwell..."

Answer 1

The answer to this question is B. "Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me."

Answer 2

Answer: B. "Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me."

In this poem, the author argues that Death is not really what we imagine, and that "he" is not as scary as Death himself believes. The poet argues that Death cannot actually kill you, as dying is only a long sleep, from which Christians will eventually wake up. The poem also states that Death is sometimes a relief, and that he brings pleasure, not pain.