Seon Are he/him Posted December 7, 2018 Report Share Posted December 7, 2018 So in my English class, we just finished reading Othello, and a comment made by another student gave me an interesting idea. We were talking about Emilia's death, were she says Quote What did thy song bode, lady? Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan, And die in music. [sings] 'Willow, willow, willow.'-- Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor; So come my soul to bliss as I speak true; So speaking as I think, I die... I die. We were talking about how not only do characters often give little speeches as they die, they also often end with something akin to "I die". I had recently looked at a post analysing the chapter one epigraph of The Way of Kings, and so I immediately thought of it. Quote "You've killed me. Bastards, you've killed me! While the sun is still hot, I die!" After doing some searching, I found two other death rattles that end in similar ways. Quote "And all the world was shattered!" Maps yelled, back arching, eyes wide, flecks of red spittle on his cheeks. "The rocks trembled with their steps, and the stones reached toward the heavens. We die! We die!" Quote "Re-Shephir, the Midnight Mother, giving birth to abominations with her essence so dark, so terrible, so consuming. She is here! She watches me die!" After searching for more last words of Shakespeare characters I found these. Quote That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire That staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand Hath with the king's blood stain'd the king's own land. Mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high; Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die. - King Richard II Quote Here, here will I remain With worms that are thy chamber-maids; O, here Will I set up my everlasting rest, And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death! Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! Here's to my love! O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus, with a kiss, I die. - Romeo It's not perfect obviously, but I find it interesting that a device Shakespeare used for convenience is now an actual plot point in Stormlight Archive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rashek of Bridge Four he/him Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 That is interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yezrien Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 I've been wondering why so many death rattles have such a lofty tone. Maybe this is the answer: Moelach is the twisted, super-invested cognitive shadow of an ancient playwright. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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