The exact words of Shakespeare’s last utterance have been lost to history, as his death predates written records of the event. However, tradition and popular culture have attributed certain famous lines to him.
One version of what is said to have been his last words, as reported by those who attended his deathbed, is speculated to have been: “The blessed creatures against whom I all sinned never hurt me.” Alternatively, some suggest that “Good frend, for Jesu’s sake, forbeare, To digg the dust enclosed heare; Bleste be y man y t spares thes stones, And cvrst be he y t moves my bones.”
was also spoken by Shakespeare. Other versions, particularly those in which he speaks of forgiveness and dying a “happy death”, have also been attributed to him but, again, no one will ever truly know.
What are some famous last words Shakespeare?
Many of Shakespeare’s characters have famously uttered their last words in some of his most famous plays and sonnets, including Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Macbeth.
From Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s final words before taking his own life were, “Thus with a kiss I die”.
In Julius Caesar, Brutus famously states, “It must be by his death: and for my part,/I know no personal cause to spurn at him,/But for the general. He would be crowned—/How that might change his nature, there’s the question” as his last words before his own death.
In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s famous last words are, “Yet here’s a spot”, as she sleepwalks before her own death.
In his sonnet No. 116, Shakespeare writes, “Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks/Within his bending sickle’s compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom.”
Finally, in his sonnet No. 144, Shakespeare closes with, “Two loves I have of comfort and despair,/Which like two spirits do suggest me still,/The better angel is a man right fair,/The worser spirit a woman coloured ill.”
What is the last word of Hamlet?
The last word of Hamlet is “slings”. This is said by the character Horatio in Act V, Scene II of the play, as he and Hamlet survey the aftermath of the bloody battle. Horatio has just seen the dead body of Hamlet’s father and is mourning his loss.
He swears that Hamlet’s memory will live on and be forever remembered:
“Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
From this time forth,
My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!
Goodnight!
The last word of Hamlet is “slings,” as spoken by Horatio in his sorrowful farewell to his beloved prince.
What did Shakespeare say about dying?
Shakespeare wrote extensively about death in his works, as it was a pervasive theme of Elizabethan life. One of his most famous quotes on dying comes from Macbeth where he says, “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day, to the last syllable of recorded time; and all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.”
This quote speaks to the finite nature of life and reinforces the idea that death is unavoidable and comes to all of us in due course. Elsewhere, in Hamlet, he provides a more hopeful perspective when he says, “To die, to sleep, to sleep, perchance to dream — ay, there’s the rub, for in that sleep of death what dreams may come.”
In this excerpt, Shakespeare is suggesting that although physical death will happen to all of us, it can also be a source of unimaginable potential for the dream-world beyond it.
What is a famous quote about sudden death?
A very famous quote about sudden death is attributed to the Greek philosopher Plato: “Death is not the worst of evils; for it cuts short a miserable life full of greater sufferings.” This quote speaks to the idea that while death may come unexpectedly, it can often be a blessing in disguise as it ends a life of greater pain and suffering.
It also hints at a larger idea that death might not be the worst thing in life, and that we shouldn’t fear it too much. In the end, life is finite, and it’s important to make the best of our time and appreciate every second that we have.
Why is Sonnet 73 famous?
Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare is one of his most famous and widely read sonnets. The poem was written as a meditation on the power of time and how it affects both beauty and love. Within the sonnet, the narrator reflects on the effects of time on beauty and how love will remain steadfast despite the ravages of age and time.
This theme is present in the couplet that wraps up the poem, with the speaker noting that “love is not love/Which alters when it alteration finds.” Sonnet 73 is also unique in that it is one of the few of Shakespeare’s sonnets which directly address the passage of time, making it stand out from the other 154 sonnets.
Further, the poem has a melancholic yet also optimistic tone and is filled with poetic devices such as rhetorical questions and imagery, such as the line “bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.” For these reasons, Sonnet 73 is famous and a favorite of many readers and scholars.
What were Hamlet’s last words to Ophelia?
Hamlet’s last words to Ophelia were “God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another: you jig, you amble, and you lisp and nickname God’s creatures, and make your wantonness your ignorance.
Go to, I’ll no more on’t; it hath made me mad. I say, we will have no more marriages. Those that are married already, all but one, shall live; the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go.” This powerful and heartbreaking speech was delivered shortly before Hamlet’s death.
It is an expression of deep hurt and pain that Hamlet has suffered due to his relationship with Ophelia and its tumultuous ending. In the speech, he rolls through accusations and generalizations that her beauty has caused men to behave foolishly and violate their societal conventions, and remorsefully admonishes her to take a vow of chastity in the nunnery.
Ultimately, Hamlet’s words to Ophelia are his final attempt to protect her from a world that has been cruel to him and that he believes is beyond saving.
How do you say goodbye in Shakespearean?
Farewell, adieu, or parting is such sweet sorrow! This phrase, first uttered by Juliet in the famous balcony scene from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, has since become the quintessential phrase for saying goodbye in a Shakespearean style.
Other classic lines used for bidding farewell include:
– Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.
– We will ne’er see again in this world.
– So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
– Until we meet again, I bid thee adieu.
– Zounds, I bid thee a most hearty farewell.
– Our play is done and we’ll strive to please no more.
– There’s a comfort in your presence ’till we meet again.
– Soft parting is all that I can say.
Such poetic words are perfect for conveying the depth of emotion that comes with saying goodbye.
What does Juliet say before dying?
Just before Juliet takes her own life with Romeo’s dagger, she famously says “O happy dagger, this is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die” (5.3.171-172). This line serves as a request to her dagger to fulfill its duty and end her life quickly and painlessly.
It is a heartbreaking moment in the play, as Juliet is taking her own life due to the tragic circumstances of a battle between the Capulets and Montagues. Despite the tragic nature of her decision, Juliet’s words reflect a peaceful acceptance of her fate.
She is willing to sacrifice her own life in the hopes that her death will prevent the further bloodshed and suffering that would ensue if the feuding families continued to fight.
What do Macbeth’s last words mean?
Macbeth’s last words, uttered as he lies dying in the final act of the play, are “Lay on, Macduff, And damn’d be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough!'” This phrase is often taken as an embodiment of Macbeth’s proud, stoic nature.
He is facing the certainty of death, yet he forgoes surrender or submission and instead issues a challenge to his opponent. His unwillingness to submit to his fate demonstrates his admirable tenacity and courage, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
His words are also a reminder that Macbeth was once a great warrior whose life was tragically undone by his own hubris and ambition. In this final moment, he is reclaiming his identity as a warrior, refusing to submit to defeat and reminding us of who he once was.
How is Macbeth at the end of the play?
At the end of the play, Macbeth is a broken man. His ambition and hubris have caused him to become a tyrant, and he has earned the hatred of many people. He has lost the loyalty of his former friends and allies, including the other witches.
He has become isolated and paranoid, pushing away even his wife with his destructive behavior. Macbeth has lost the love of his countrymen, and in doing so has lost his sense of identity and purpose.
He is resigned to his fate as a murderer, and has lost all hope in himself, knowing that death is his only escape. Despite his intense inner turmoil, Macbeth is prepared to face his destiny on the battlefield.
He is determined to demonstrate his courage and honor one last time, and in doing so, he gains a kind of redemption of sorts. Macbeth is still an ambitious character and devoted to a certain degree to the ideals of loyalty and commitment that he had at the beginning of the play, but he has also come to accept his irrevocable fate.
What is the quote when Macbeth is killed?
The famous final quote Macbeth utters as he is killed comes from Act 5, Scene 8 of the play. The quote is: “Lay on, Macduff, And damn’d be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough!'” These are Macbeth’s last words as he faces his imminent death.
In essence, he is urging Macduff to finish the fight and to end his suffering once and for all. It is a testament to his courage as well as his acceptance of his own fate. This quote encapsulates Macbeth’s character at the end of the play, showing he has accepted the consequences of his actions and is willing to face his death with dignity and courage.
