Question

Italian sonnets typically have a twist in the closing couplet. What twist does the speaker bring into the closing couplet of John Donne’s “Death Be Not Proud”?

Answer 1

John Donne: Poems Summary and Analysis of Holy Sonnet 10, "Death be not ... sonnet form in that it is made up of three quatrains and a concluding couplet. However, Donne has chosen the Italian/Petrarchan sonnet rhyme scheme of abba for the first two quatrains, grouping them into an octet typical of the Petrarchan form.

Answer 2

He says that death itself shall die, whereas humans will attain eternal life.

Step-by-step explanation:

Twist in the final couplet

The rest of the poem lists reasons why death should not be feared

Couplet claims death itself will die