DEATH AND MORTALITY IN METAPHYSICAL POEM: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF JOHN DONNE AND ANDREW MARVELL'S WORKS (POEMS)

Metaphysical poetry is renowned for its intellectual depth, use of wit, and engagement with profound philosophical and theological themes. Among these, death and mortality stand out as central preoccupations in the works of John Donne and Andrew Marvell. This study explores the significance of these themes in their poetry, emphasizing how both poets confront, reinterpret, and transcend the conventional fear of death through complex metaphors, paradoxes, and religious imagery. While Donne often presents death as a powerless transition to eternal life, deeply rooted in Christian eschatology, Marvell juxtaposes mortality with the urgency of living in the present, reflecting a more secular and carpe diem philosophy. Through a comparative analysis of their major works— including Death Be Not Proud, Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness, and To His Coy Mistress—this study highlights how both poets depict death as a transformative force rather than a finality. Donne’s treatment of death is deeply theological, framing mortality as a necessary passage to divine unity. In contrast, Marvell uses death as a reminder of life’s brevity, urging individuals to embrace passion and action before time runs out. Their approaches, though different, share a common rejection of death as a dominant or fearsome force. Furthermore, both poets challenge traditional perceptions of mortality by portraying death as an entity that can be mocked, controlled, or even defeated. This defiance is evident in Donne’s paradoxical assertion that death itself shall die, as well as in Marvell’s poetic urgency that compels readers to seize the moment before their inevitable end. Beyond their personal meditations on death, the study explores how metaphysical poetry as a genre uses mortality to bridge the physical and spiritual realms. Poets employ elaborate conceits, scientific and geographical imagery, and philosophical argumentation to examine death not as an end but as a continuum. The study also highlights the role of metaphysical poetry in prompting readers to reflect on existential concerns, the transient nature of time, and the implications of mortality on human experience. Ultimately, this study affirms that the metaphysical treatment of death is not merely about acknowledging mortality but about confronting it with intellectual rigor, wit, and spiritual insight. By exploring death as both an equalizing force and a pathway to transcendence, Donne and Marvell challenge conventional notions of fear and finality. Their works continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, offering a timeless meditation on the complexities of life, death, and the afterlife.