Poem study 1- James Shirley (1596-1666) 'Death the Leveller'

The poem 'Death the Leveller' was written for the upper class educated. Many other people could not understand it. It holds many words that people in the late 1500's didn't understand. Words like 'Sceptre'- an ornamental rod held by a king/queen as a symbol of power are used in 'Death the Leveller'. Shirley's argument is that a high rank+ position wouldn't last and we can't defend ourselves from death. He tries to make us …

…somber poem with a hint of melancholy. Its tone can be quite mocking and ironic in reference to those who were successful in the past. The speaker's attitude is very determined and patriotic and run on lines add strength and urgency to argue his point, which is, "We are all equal in death, some may have money, some may have nothing. Yet when it comes to death, we are judged purely on what is inside".