# One Hundred Greatest Death Speeches in Literature **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243 "2003-07-17T22:11:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Opheilia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a587f6/32.png) [@Opheilia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opheilia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/41 "2003-09-04T18:34:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kaylasdad99 \* > \*_I wish I could quote it from memory, but I never made the effort, simply because just reading the passage is always so heart-wrenching for me_. Perhaps someone with a copy of the book could favor us with a rendering: > > Charlotte’s farewell to Wilbur, when she tells him of the life he has ahead of him (thanks to her efforts), when he returns to Zuckerman’s farm. > > _Charlotte’s Web_, by E. B. White. > > \*_In fact, I couldn’t finish typing this post without choking up._ \*\* I’ve always considered that book one of my childhood favourites. ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/42 "2003-09-04T19:12:49Z")
Not really a death speech, this classic piece of literature is really a speech given by the defendant during his trial, the result of which is his execution. [Socrates’ Apology, as rendered by Plato](http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/43 "2003-09-04T19:16:55Z")
Can’t believe nobody posted this yet: “Et tu, Brute? Then die Caesar.” Julius Caesar, Shakespeare. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/44 "2003-09-04T19:19:48Z")
Dang! It’s “Then _fall_ Caesar.” ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/45 "2003-09-04T19:33:30Z")
Geez, you guys are so way beyond me. I was going to post the speech from the chick in Final Destination about how the others were freaks for being obsessed with death and that they should just go on and live their lives and if they didn’t agree with that then they could just drop dead. And then a millisecond later she gets hit by a bus. ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/46 "2003-09-05T07:07:18Z")
“I knew he’d have someones eye out messing with that bow and arrow” King Harold, Battle of Hastings, 1066 :D:D Sorry just couldn’t resist it. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/47 "2003-09-05T07:17:31Z")
“It’s the end, but the moment has deen prepared for.” -Tom Baker’s last words from _Doctor Who_. I know it’s not liturature, but neither is bloody _Blade Runner_. ---
**Author:** ![Nanook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nanook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanook)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/48 "2003-09-05T13:49:18Z")
The Portage to San Cristobal of A.H., a novel by George Steiner, in which he imagines that Hitler is caught and put on trial. In the final pages of the book, Hitler makes a speech, rebutting his accusers. Shattering. ---
**Author:** ![Nichol\_storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Nichol\_storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nichol_storm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/49 "2003-09-05T14:26:34Z")
Here’s Phoenix’s death speech from the famous _X-Men #137_: “You want me to fight? I have. I am… with all my strength. But I can’t forget that I killed an entire world… FIVE BILLION PEOPLE… as casually, as unthinkingly, as you would crumble a piece of paper. I want no more deaths on my conscience. Your way, I’d have to stay completely in control of myself every second of every day for the rest of my immortal life. Maybe I could do it. But if I slipped, even for an instant, if I… failed… if even ONE more person died at my hands… it’s better this way. Quick. Clean. Final. I love you, Scott. A part of me will always be with you.” ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/50 "2003-09-05T20:20:26Z")
When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then said he, “I am going to my Father’s; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage; and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought his battles who now will be my Rewarder.” When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the riverside; into which as he went he said, “Death, where is thy sting?” And as he went down deeper, he said, “Grave, where is thy victory?” So he passed over; and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side. –John Bunyan, _Pilgrim’s Progress_ ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/51 "2003-09-05T20:57:09Z")
There is a willow grows ascaunt the brook, That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream. Therewith fantastic garlands did she make Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do dead men’s fingers call them. There on the pendant boughs her crownet weeds Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke, When down her weedy trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like a while they bore her up; Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds, As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a creature native and indued Unto that element. But long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death. –Ophelia’s death, in _Hamlet_ ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/52 "2003-09-06T01:35:58Z")
Frankenstein’s monster had a good one at the end of the novel. ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/53 "2003-09-06T02:23:13Z")
Romeo’s buddy from early in _Romeo and Juliet_. Our boy has been stabbed in a street fight, he looks at the wound and says something like this: “T’is not so wide as a church door, nor deep as a well, but ‘twill suffice, ‘twill suffice.” General Sedgewick, the “they can’t hit an elephant at this distance” guy, was one of the Union Army’s corps commanders and was beloved by his troops who called him “Uncle John.” He died doing his duty, up at the front among the gunners. This comment was to discourage the gunners from ducking and bobbing as rifle fire came into their gun line. He was not a famous soldier but a solid soldier and a good officer. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/54 "2003-09-06T02:33:27Z")
Frankenstein’s monster in Mary Shelley’s novel was considerably more articulate than most of his screen incarnations: > [@](#): > > "Farewell! I leave you, and in you the last of human kind whom these eyes will ever behold. Farewell, Frankenstein! If thou wert yet alive, and yet cherished a desire of revenge against me, it would be better satiated in my life than in my destruction. But it was not so; thou didst seek my extinction that I might not cause greater wretchedness; and if yet, in some mode unknown to me, thou hast not ceased to think and feel, thou wouldst not desire against me a vengeance greater than that which I feel. Blasted as thou wert, my agony was still superior to thine; for the bitter sting of remorse will not cease to rankle in my wounds until death shall close them for ever. > > “But soon,” he cried, with sad and solemn enthusiasm, “I shall die, and what I now feel be no longer felt. Soon these burning miseries will be extinct. I shall ascend my funeral pile triumphantly, and exult in the agony of the torturing flames. The light of that conflagration will fade away; my ashes will be swept into the sea by the winds. My spirit will sleep in peace; or if it thinks, it will not surely think thus. Farewell.” > > He sprung from the cabin-window, as he said this, upon the ice-raft which lay close to the vessel. He was soon borne away by the waves and lost in darkness and distance. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/55 "2003-09-06T06:01:46Z")
It’s only Literature by a stretch, but I’m rather fond of this one: > [@](#): > > They had been staring at it for fully ten minutes before they became aware that Marvin, hanging between their shoulders, was in difficulties. They lifted his head, but he complained that his vision circuits had almost gone. > > They found a coin and helped him to the telescope. He complained and insulted them, but they helped him look at each individual letter in turn. The first letter was a “w,” the second an “e.” Then there was a gap. An “a” followed, then a “p,”, an “o,” and an “l.” > > Marvin paused for a rest. > > After a few moments they resumed and let him see the “o,” the “g,” the “i,” the “z,” and the “e.” > > The next two words were “for” and “the.” The last one was a long one, and Marvin needed another rest before he could tackle it. > > It started with “i,” then “n,” then “c.” Next came an “o” and an “n,” followed by a “v,” an “e,” another “n,” and an “i.” > > After a final pause, Marvin gathered his strength for the last stretch. > > He read the “e,” the “n,” the “c,” and at last the final “e,” and staggered back into their arms. > > “I think,” he murmured at last from deep within his corroding, rattling thorax, “I feel good about it.” > > The lights went out in his eyes for absolutely the last time ever. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/56 "2003-09-06T07:11:03Z")
Why don’t we just wait here for a little while…see what happens. –the thing. It was good to be alive, wasn’t it boy? –Druss the Legend Forgive me…my queen…for slowing us. –Blood of the Fold I realize calling any of that literature is a stretch but I figured I’d make an idiot of myself in my first post anyway so I might as well do it on purpose. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/57 "2003-09-06T07:25:50Z")
Okay, here’s the _Charlotte’s Web_ speech (I think. Apologies if something else was meant): > [@](#): > > “You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven nows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.” My contribution: Thorin Oakenshield’s speech to Bilbo in _The Hobbit_: > [@](#): > > “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!” ---
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/58 "2003-09-06T10:23:55Z")
Mecutio in Romeo and Juliet: _Help me into some house Benvolio, Or I shall faint. A plague a both your houses! They have made worms’ meat of me. I have it, and soundly too. Your houses!_ played superbly by a friend of mine. This next one breaks the rules. It’s an “about” rather than a “by” quotation. From Pilgrem’s Progress. _They scourged him, then they buffetted him; then they lanced his flesh with knives; after that they stoned him with stones, then pricked him with their swords; and last of all they burned him to ashes at the stake. Thus came Faithful to his end._ ---
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/59 "2003-09-06T10:43:22Z")
Of course I meant Pilgr **i** m’s Progress. ---
**Author:** ![Opheilia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a587f6/32.png) [@Opheilia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opheilia)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243/60 "2003-09-16T07:50:39Z")
I’m in complete agreement with you, I love that particular passage and adore Hamlet, by far one of Shakespeare’s greatest literary acheivements in my view. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\*There is a willow grows ascaunt the brook, > That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream. > Therewith fantastic garlands did she make > Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, > That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, > But our cold maids do dead men’s fingers call them. > There on the pendant boughs her crownet weeds > Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke, > When down her weedy trophies and herself > Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, > And mermaid-like a while they bore her up; > Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds, > As one incapable of her own distress, > Or like a creature native and indued > Unto that element. But long it could not be > Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, > Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay > To muddy death. > > –Ophelia’s death, in _Hamlet_ \*\* [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hundred-greatest-death-speeches-in-literature/189243.md?page=2)