Comparison: Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom & King Lear, by William Shakespeare

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Sogyal Rinpoche stated “When you start preparing for death you soon realize that you must look into your life now...and come to face the truth of yourself. Death is like a mirror in which the true meaning of life is reflected.” Death is imminent. Many people today fear death for various reasons. Some people are able to accept it, where others deny its existence. Some people spend their lives working towards the coming of their death, and their life thereafter, where others spend there lives doing everything they possibly can to make the most of their time on earth. In Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom, the lead character Morrie Schwartz was diagnosed with the fatal disease Lou Gerrig’s Disease, also know as ALS. Although many people would fall into a deep pit of self loathing and regret, Morrie Schwartz took the opportunity to teach people about life and love. He surrounded himself with friends, and loved-ones in his final days. Contrary to Morrie’s attitude, Lear, in William Shakespeare's King Lear, treats death as a negative thing in his life, fearing it, and running from it. Lear spends his last days regretting the things he had done in his life. He wallows in self pity, blaming others for his demise. Lear isolates himself from the people who love him, and fills himself with jealousy towards those who will survive him. Mitch Albom's Tuesdays With Morrie outlines themes of understanding and forgiveness, whereas William Shakespeare's King Lear explores themes of regret and isolation. It is apparent that both texts show the relevance of death and its affect on human behaviour. Morrie Schwartz the lead character in Tuesdays with Morrie, receives terrible news early on that his death is near, as he is suffering from Lou G... ... middle of paper ... ...reas William Shakespeare's King Lear explores themes of regret and isolation. it is apparent that both texts show the relevance of death and its affect on human behaviour. Death is a permanent fixture on the minds of human beings. People are faced with it on an almost daily basis. Watching natural disasters kill thousands of people, or watching soldiers come home to be buried, gives humans a humble understanding that life is short and death is near. Will people ever come to accept death the way Morrie had? It is not clear what the correct way to live life is. Everyone has their own path to follow, their own beliefs, and their own ideas of death. It is up to oneself to decide if they will live in fear and isolation, or start loving and forgiving those around them. These two stories truly show the different perspectives regarding death. What will your perspective be?

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