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Basilisk Quote by William Shakespeare

“It is a basilisk unto mine eye, Kills me to look on't.” quote by William Shakespeare
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“It is a basilisk unto mine eye, Kills me to look on't.”

William Shakespeare

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.

Key Takeaway

Avoid confronting deadly threats directly.

Themes

danger fear mythical creatures

Mood

eerie dramatic

Type

literary mythic

When to use this quote

  • exploration of cursed sites
  • encounter with monsters
  • psychic horror
  • mythic storytelling

Key Concepts

basilisk legend psychological terror

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the basilisk represent in your life?
  • How do you handle confronting frightening truths?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may be symbolic rather than literal.

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