A STUDY OF CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS IN JOHN DONNE’S DEATH, BE NOT PROUD

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative study is to scrutinize different interpretations of metaphorical representations of death in John Donne’s Death, be not proud applying the recently developed version of Lakoff and Johnsons’s theory of Conceptual Metaphors 1997. The study employs purposive sampling technique to analyze the selected contents from the holy sonnet. Death as a prevalent metaphor underlies the thematic exploration of mortality and defiance of the selected holy sonnet. It is found that the metaphor of death communicates its central theme: the triumph of the human spirit over death. Moreover, this investigation serves to deepen our appreciation of timeless and universal relevance of metaphorical expressions in literary works, highlighting their capacity to convey complex concepts and evoke profound emotions.