Basilisk Quote by William Shakespeare
“It is a basilisk unto mine eye, Kills me to look on't.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act 3, Scene 2, 1611
Seeing the terrifying creature (basilisk) is deadly; the speaker is harmed just by looking.
In simple terms: Looking at a monster kills you.
Avoid confronting deadly threats directly.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- exploration of cursed sites
- encounter with monsters
- psychic horror
- mythic storytelling
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the basilisk represent in your life?
- How do you handle confronting frightening truths?
The metaphor may be symbolic rather than literal.