DEATH BE NOT PROUD POEM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADE 12

Refer to the poem above and answer the questions below.

1. Refer to the following words in line 1 (“Death be not proud”):
   Identify the figure of speech used (1)
2. Explain why the poet has used this figure of (2)
   Hint: to explain this figure of speech, think of how and why the poet talks to Death as a person.
3. Which three words from the list below could be used to describe Death? (3)

   arrogant; clever; proud; friendly; over-confident; loving

4. Is the following statement TRUE or FALSE?
   Everyone fears Death.
   Quote ONE word from the poem to support your answer.       (2)
   note: Write down either true or false and then your one word answer. Remember that this is a quote so make sure you spell the word exactly as it is in the poem.
5. Complete the following sentences by using the words provided in the list Write down only the words next to the question number.
   

   entertainment; temporary; relaxation; end; look; final

   The poet says that “rest and sleep” are “pictures” of Death, meaning they only (5.1) ... like death. However, people rest and sleep for (5.2) ...                                                                                   (2)
6. Using your own words, write down THREE causes of death statedin the poem.                                                                          (3)
7. Refer to the following words in line 12 (“why swell’st thou then?”) Explain the meaning of these words as they are used in the (1)
8. Refer to lines 10-14. Name two things which have the sameeffect as Death.                                                                     (2)
9. Write down the correct tone word in brackets for each of the lines below:
   1. “Death be not proud for, thou art not so” (lines 1- 2) (triumphant/critical/ mocking)
   2. “Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men” (line 9) (triumphant/critical/mocking)
   3. “And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well, And better than thy stroke” (lines 11-12)
      (triumphant / critical / mocking)
   4. Death, thou shalt die.” (line 14) (triumphant/critical/mocking)                                               (4)
10. In the last two lines (13–14) the speaker’s tone is ... 
    1. triumphant and victorious
    2. submissive and angry.
    3. sad and disappointed.
    4. thoughtful and fearful.                                                       (1)
11. Discuss the message the poem has for its (2)   [23]

To get 2 marks, you must give 2 points.

ANSWERS

1. Personification OR apostrophe ✓ (1)
2. Personification: The poet gives Death human qualities in order to mock/poke fun at/ridicule/laugh at Death/ to show that Death is like an ordinary human/mortal/ not powerful ✓✓
   OR
   Apostrophe: He addresses Death as if Death is present/ in front of him. ✓✓ (2)
3. arrogant ✓/proud ✓/over-confident ✓ (3)
4. False. “some” ✓✓ (2)
5. 5.1 look ✓ (1)
   5.2 relaxation ✓ (1)
6.                              
   • You are destined to die in a certain way (Fate). ✓
   • You can die in an accident (Chance). ✓
   • Your death can be ordered by kings/powerful people. ✓
   • You can die in a war. ✓
   • You can be murdered. ✓
   • You can kill yourself/ suicide. ✓
   • You can die by taking poison. ✓
   • You can die from illness/disease. ✓ (3)
7. The poet is questioning/asking why Death is filled with pride/proud/OR why Death is arrogant/pompous/haughty/ swollen with pride. ✓ (1)
8. “poppy” ✓ and “charms” ✓ (2)
9.                    
   1. critical ✓
   2. critical ✓
   3. mocking ✓
   4. triumphant ✓ (4)
10. A / triumphant and victorious ✓ (1)
11.                          
    • You should not be afraid to die. ✓
    • Death has no power. ✓
    • Death is temporary/does not last forever. ✓
    • There is life after death. ✓ (2)  [23]

NOTE:

•  In question 4, a mark is awarded only if both parts of the answer are correct: False and "some".
• Any three of the answers in question 6 are acceptable
• Any 2 of the answers n question11 are acceptable