“ It is silliness to live when to live is torment; and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician. ”
William Shakespeare, Othello (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Othello |
| Topic | life suicide torment |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1601 and 1604 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1531/1531-h/1531-h.htm |
Context
“Why, go to bed and sleep.
RODERIGO. I will incontinently drown myself.
IAGO. If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman!
RODERIGO. It is silliness to live, when to live is torment; and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.
IAGO. O villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.” source
RODERIGO. I will incontinently drown myself.
IAGO. If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman!
RODERIGO. It is silliness to live, when to live is torment; and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.
IAGO. O villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.” source
Meaning and analysis
