Final answer:
In John Donne's 'Holy Sonnet 10,' some have called death 'mighty' and 'dreadful,' but the poet defies these notions by suggesting death is a passage to eternal life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 'Holy Sonnet 10' by John Donne, some people have called death mighty and dreadful. Donne challenges these perceptions by personifying death and addressing it directly, ultimately undermining its power and position. He uses his sharp wit and metaphysical conceits to argue that death is neither as powerful nor as fearsome as many believe, suggesting that it is merely a transition to eternal life, thereby weakening its formidable reputation.