This is my play's last scene

  • Plot: The poem “This is my play’s last scene” is essentially a contemplation of death, where Donne uses the metaphor of a play to describe human life and its ending.
  • Structure & Language Techniques: The poem is structured as a metaphysical conceit and employs elaborate language techniques such as extended metaphors combining elements of theatre and religious references, exemplifying Donne’s distinct poetic style.
  • Themes & Linking Poems: Common themes in the poem include mortality, religion, and the existential crisis; it can be linked with Donne’s other poems such as “Death Be Not Proud” which also explore these themes.
  • Key Quotes: Key quotes like “Gluttonous death will instantly unjoint’” and “We are born dying” capture the essence of Donne’s reflections on death and the human condition.
  • Poet & Context: John Donne, a 17th-century metaphysical poet, wrote his poems in the context of his religious beliefs and life experiences, which is reflected in the mortality and spirituality themes present in “This is my play’s last scene”.