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Death Quote by William Shakespeare

“O, if I say, you look upon this verse, When I perhaps compounded am with clay, Do not so much as my poor name rehearse, But let your love even with my life decay; Lest the wise world should look into your moan, And mock you with me after I am gone.” quote by William Shakespeare
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““O, if I say, you look upon this verse, When I perhaps compounded am with clay, Do not so much as my poor name rehearse, But let your love even with my life decay; Lest the wise world should look into your moan, And mock you with me after I am gone.””

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1, 1611

The speaker asks that his name not be remembered, but his love be preserved, even after death, to avoid mockery and sorrow.

In simple terms: Ask for love to endure, not fame.

Key Takeaway

Cherish love over reputation.

Themes

love legacy humility

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

poetic dramatic

When to use this quote

  • grief
  • funeral rites
  • lasting relationships

Key Concepts

mortality memory reputation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you prioritize love over legacy?
  • What does preserving love mean to you?
A Different Perspective

Love may not survive societal judgment.

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