Courage
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4.Courage in the face of death
4a.Socrates and the calm of the philosopher
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 20He cared not a straw for death; his only fear was doing an unrighteous or unholy thing.read · scan
- p. 22Condemned men of reputation act as if death were dreadful; Socrates scorns such unmanly behavior.read · scan
- p. 25–26He refuses to plead with tears or grovel to escape death, preferring to die by his own manner of defence.read · scan
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 46–47His mien and language were noble and fearless in the hour of death.read · scan
- p. 76Philosophers are brave from freedom from pleasure and pain, not for worldly reasons.read · scan
- p. 81–82Socrates' calm and readiness to renew the argument show fortitude; he likens himself and Phaedo to Heracles and Iolaus.read · scan
- p. 111–112Socrates faces his imminent poisoning with calm, refusing to delay the cup since clinging to a life already spent would be laughable.read · scan
- p. 112Socrates drinks the poison cheerfully, without fear or change of color, and steadies his weeping friends.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 24–25Montaigne's view of death is cowardly.read · scan
4b.Heroic death chosen or resolved upon
See also: Life and Death 6a
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 131Odysseus considers suicide but hardens his heart to endure.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 51–52A high will sacrifices the body to fulfil love.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 56Cassandra resolves to dare death like those Troy lost.read · scan
- p. 57–59Cassandra walks resolved to her doom; the Chorus praises her brave endurance to the last.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 700–701He leaps into the bed of coals delighted, showing fearless self-sacrifice.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Old AgeVol. 9
- p. 71Examples of Brutus, the Decii, Regulus and the Scipios who met death for their country; even ignorant young men scorn it.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 73Aeneas measures his lot against the heroes who died bravely at Troy.read · scan
- p. 111–113Aeneas protests he sought death, exposed and prodigal of life, unable to save others.read · scan
- p. 344Lausus resolves on death to face the foe; Aeneas stands undaunted under storms of darts.read · scan
- p. 344–350Mezentius, resolved and unappalled by pain, calls for his horse to avenge Lausus or die.read · scan
- p. 350–353Mezentius faces death undaunted, saying it is no dishonor for the brave to die and asking no life.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 410–411Peter avows readiness for prison and death.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 469Paul, ready to be bound and to die, refuses friends' pleas not to go to Jerusalem.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 144–145Assassins dare not enter; Alcibiades escapes through the flames sword in hand before being slain by darts.read · scan
Plutarch, Comparison of Demosthenes and CiceroVol. 12
- p. 263Demosthenes's preparing and using poison, defying Antipater, is called admirable.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 359Antony, in consternation, has his freedman swear to kill him so he will not fall alive to the Parthians.read · scan
- p. 380Antony is ashamed that a general shows tardier courage than a woman, and chooses to die.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 197Corellius manfully bore years of undeserved agonies and resolved on death with heroic determination.read · scan
- p. 197–199Corellius's resolve 'Tis resolved raises Pliny's admiration for the greatness of his soul.read · scan
- p. 210Aristo's calm resolution is called a hero's, unlike blind rushing into death.read · scan
- p. 240–242Arria's heroic self-command in concealing her grief and her fortitude in death; some deeds are greater than famous ones.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 277Go courageously into a refuge or out of life rather than be torn and defiled like beast-fighters begging another day.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 10–11Shahrazad volunteers to marry the king, willing to die or deliver the daughters of the Muslims.read · scan
- p. 77Facing death, the prince refuses to strike her head, though expecting his own death.read · scan
- p. 86She fights to the death and sacrifices herself to free the young man from enchantment.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 380–383She faces her own death resolutely, armed in her gold byrnyread · scan
- p. 407–409Gunnar answers as a king should and calls for a feast though it may be the last, facing doom.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 168–169Dying, Roland struggles on so none may reproach him, clasping horn and sword.read · scan
- p. 169–171Blinded and dying, Roland kills a Saracen who tries to take his sword and stands erect with Durindana.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 344–345Brothers dismiss warnings and go forward despite doom.read · scan
- p. 347–348Hogni fights to the last and faces his fate unafraid.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 90Douglas dying calmly notes few ancestors died in bed; chaplain fights valiantly like a man of arms.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 125More's strong heart comforts Kingston; he longs for the morrow's death.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 230–231He faces death resolved and calm, declaring it more glorious to die unjustly.read · scan
- p. 280Cellini answers warnings of murder by saying he must die sometime and it makes no difference whether sooner or later.read · scan
- p. 308He resolves not to be taken alive and boldly confronts the judge.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That We Should Not Judge of Our Happiness Until After Our DeathVol. 32
- p. 7Aims to meet his last gasp quietly and constantly; some have brave and fortunate deaths.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That to Philosophise Is to Learne How to DieVol. 32
- p. 13–15Cowardice would not avail against death, which pursues the fleeing man and spares neither weak youth nor the armored.read · scan
- p. 15–16Urges facing death with a resolute mind, taking heart at every small mischance.read · scan
- p. 19Premeditating death lets one face it without dismay; nature lends courage.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 388–389Weary of the sun, he resolves to die with armour on his back.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 704–708Bellario fearlessly accepts dismemberment or death rather than betray the princess.read · scan
- p. 733–734Arethusa faces death without repentance, unmoved by threatsread · scan
- p. 734–737Philaster says death is a joy after long languishingread · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 290Honors those who contemn death, loves soldiers; a Christian afraid of death is worldly or hopeless.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Samson feels rousing motions and expects some great act or his last day.read · scan
- p. 415Samson, patient and undaunted, performs feats and then pulls down the pillars in a heroic final act.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 277The evangelists paint Christ fearful in agony yet brave when men afflict Him, showing a heroic soul.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 103She rebukes her coward flesh for shrinking and forces herself to the serpent's bite rather than be sent by Caesar.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 222–223Huss chooses death by fire rather than act against his belief.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 35–36He steels himself with stern resolve to burst the portals others fear and take the fatal leap.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 329–330Ferdinand admires Egmont facing the struggle with a hero's courage and self-conquest.read · scan
- p. 330–331Egmont accepts death and wishes his blood might bring peace to his people.read · scan
- p. 333Egmont faces the ranks of death with zest, urging friends to fall with joy for their homes.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 425–426Death frightens only the coward and slave; the brave die unafraid in the field.read · scan
Walter Savage Landor, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 903–905Iphigenia consents to her sacrifice, bidding her father grieve no more; the poet meets death without fear.read · scan
William Hazlitt, Of Persons One Would Wish to Have SeenVol. 27
- p. 280Guy Fawkes is defended as ill-used, awaiting death in heroic self-devotion.read · scan
George Gordon, Lord Byron, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 803–804The second brother would have died gladly in the foremost rank of war rather than pine in chains.read · scan
Giuseppe Mazzini, Byron and GoetheVol. 32
- p. 395–396Byron, with firm will, made of his death a victory.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 109Captured Indian ambassadors refuse to betray their cause and die, one declaring 'I am a man, and can die.'read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1010–1011Grenville dies joyfully, having dared Spain with one little shipread · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1065–1066Speaker meets death as one more fight, refusing to creep past it, like heroes of old.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 177–179Samson's heroic act pulls down the temple on himself and the Philistine lords.read · scan
Christina Georgina Rossetti, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1181–1183Skene and his wife face death in the Mutiny with mutual encouragement.read · scan
4c.Dying with jest, dignity and forgiveness
See also: Punishment 4a
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 355Hippolytus is a cool charioteer who prays his innocence to Zeus and leaves his exile with dignity.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 101Epaminondas died calmly and gloriously, asking first whether his shield was safe.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 438–439Stephen faces stoning calmly, forgiving his killers.read · scan
Plutarch, DemosthenesVol. 12
- p. 214He faces Archias calmly, scorning promises, and ignores the soldiers who mistake his stillness for cowardice.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 386Cleopatra and Charmion face death calmly; Charmion says it was well done, as befits descendants of kings.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 253Cornelia goes to death calling on the gods and refusing the executioner's touch, preserving dignity to the last.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 412–414Hogni laughs as his heart is cut out; Gunnar contrasts it with trembling Hjalli's heart, showing steadfastness in death.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 350–351Gunnar plays the harp with his toes in the worm-pit and meets death with hardihood.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 114He remains calm and courteous, keeping his gold chain and jesting with the porter.read · scan
- p. 125More comforts the weeping Kingston with a strong heart.read · scan
- p. 125More jokes cheerfully on the scaffold and encourages his executioner.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 363Englishmen despise death, going cheerfully to execution, though they abhor being tormented.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 54–56The condemned barons face death defiantly; Mortimer says his virtue and hope surmount his fortune.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 824She meets execution unafraid, forgiving executioners.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 105Nearchus and Polyeucte face death unmoved, embracing it like a friend.read · scan
- p. 127Pauline offers her neck and faces death fearlessly; Felix admits he played the coward.read · scan
Andrew Marvell, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 372–374Cromwell's high courage and industrious valour; Charles tries the axe's edge without flinching.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 295–297M'Pherson scorns death on the gallows, dares any man to fight.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 355Beatrice meets death calmly, urging patience and subduing fear and pain.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, HeroismVol. 5
- p. 121Sophocles and Dorigen face execution with invincible spirit, illustrating heroic character in Beaumont and Fletcher.read · scan
- p. 126–127Heroes show good humor in suffering, as with Socrates, Scipio and Sir Thomas More at the scaffold.read · scan
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