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A Comparison of James Shirley's poem Death The Leveller with William Shakespeare's Fear No More.

James Shirley was 14 years old when William Shakespeare was 44. Therefore, Shirley evidently might have been inspired by Shakespeare. Both poems celebrate the glory of death and share many other similarities. Both poems are part of plays written by them. Both poems hold the same views and project the same ideas. Death makes all equal. It has no distinctions between the rich and poor, the strong and weak, the high and low and the hard and soft. Man has no armour to hold against death. It touches all with it's cold fingers and all have to succumb to death. Even Kings are not secure from the strike of death. Both poets use the same word Sceptre to denote Kingly authority. Shakespeare hints that we are paid our wages in heaven for our deeds done in this world. Shirley warns us that only our right and just actions survive us. Both poets project the inevitability of death. And both of them were Londoners too.

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Which preceded shakespeares death?

He probably gave a little cough and then died.


Who helped publish shakespeares first folio after his death?

Two of Shakespeare's actor friends, John Heminges and Henry Condell


What was the worst thing that happened in Shakespeares life?

His father died. This appears to have had a more profound effect on Shakespeare than the death of his eleven-year-old son.


What are the main ideas in the poem Death The Leveller?

Death The Leveller - a poem by James Shirley, ( England, 1596-1666 )James Shirley was an English poet and teacher who became famous for his plays. He died during the Great London Fire. Death The Leveller is part of one of his plays. He concieves death as a great leveller who has no distinctions between the rich and poor, high and low, hard and soft. The glories of our blood and state are only shadows. Family tradition or social status do not come to our aid when we die. Man has no armour to hold against fate. Death lays his icy hand on Kings and subjects. Kings wearing the sceptre and crown and peasants bearing the scythe and spade are all brought to dust and made equal by death.Great emperors like Ashoka and Alexander have won battlefields and raised victory memorials, but they too have gone to the other world. Great swordsmen reap heads of their opponents in the battlefield, but even their strong nerves yield at last and they too stoop to fate, early or late. Actually they are not winning over the other, but taming one another. Great war heros become wounded captives creeping to their death. They are now pale with shame in the hands of death because, unlike in the warfield, they now cannot protest and fight against their captivity. Victory memorials may wither away and great battles fade from memory. The once-victor will one day become the bleeding victim on the purple altar of death- purple because of blood and gore. However high our heads are held, they will have to come down to the cold tomb.Great heroic actions do not survive us. Only the just and right actions of a man blossom and emit sweet smell even after he has withered in dust.


What are the willam shakespeares birth and death?

William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He died on April 23, 1616, also in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birth and death dates are famously celebrated on the same day, contributing to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest playwrights in history.

Related Questions

What is bizarre about the day of shakespeares death?

He died on his Birthday at age 52.


Which preceded shakespeares death?

He probably gave a little cough and then died.


What do you mean be 'Death's purple altar' in the poem 'Death the leveller'?

In the poem "Death the Leveller," the phrase "Death's purple altar" symbolizes death as a powerful force that commands respect and reverence, much like an altar in a religious setting. The color purple traditionally symbolizes royalty and power, indicating the immense influence and authority that death holds over all individuals regardless of their status or wealth.


What happened to William Shakespeare?

Shakespeares son Hamnet, died when he was 11. The cause of his death is unknown.


What happened to William Shakespeare's son?

Shakespeares son Hamnet, died when he was 11. The cause of his death is unknown.


Who helped publish first folio after shakespeares death?

to actors from the company john heminge and Henry condell


Death the leveller poem summary?

death the leveller is a poem by James Shirley which is about death. it comprises three octaves, it has a very dark tone and really gives you a scary image. this is because it never gives you an image which states that you will go to Haven, their is no after life. it uses word like " cold tomb" and "kill", which really spreads this. it is a poem which addresses every one and how every person is going to die, no matter what they are. be it Queen's, kings and even peasants. it states that death is an equaliser, with death their is no deference every on is the same. in the first line of the first octave, it says that material things don't matter. by..naomi..xox


What is the summary of death the leveller?

This poem's theme is about war and death. It has a very dark mood. He is trying to tell us that even though we may win the battle or the war and defeat our enemy, we will all eventually die with them and be buried just as his enemies were buried.


Who helped publish shakespeares first folio after his death?

Two of Shakespeare's actor friends, John Heminges and Henry Condell


Berapa usia you sekarang i mean your bday?

23rd April, the same day as William Shakespeares' bday and his death day(!!)


What disease raged through London during shakespeares time?

The Bubonic Plague, otherwise known as the Balck Death.


Which of shakespeares poems was about decay in time?

Sonnet LXXIII deals with decay as one ages, and how love is greater when it loves that close to death.