Inspiration on Film

23. John Keating's Speech

Inspiration on Film
Compiled by Fox-Trot-9

23. John Keating's Speech
From Dead Poets Society (1989)
Delivered by Robin Williams

Gerard Pitts: 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may; / Old Time is still a-flying. / And this same flower that smiles today / Tomorrow will be dying.'

John Keating: Tank you, Mr. Pitts. 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.' The Latin term for that sentiment is Carpe Diem. Now who knows what that means?

Steven Meeks: Carpe Diem. That's seize the day.

John Keating: Very good, Mr.—

Steven Meeks: Meeks.

John Keating: Meeks. Another unusual name. Seize the day. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. Why does the writer use these lines?

Joe Danburry: Because he's in a hurry.

John Keating: No! DING! Thanks for playing anyway. Because we are food for worms, lads. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day gonna stop breathing, turn cold, and die.

Now I would like you to step forward over here and peruse some of the faces from the past. You've walked past them many times. I don't think you've really looked at them.

They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen. Do you hear it? [whispering in a gruff voice] Carpe. Hear it? [whispering] Carpe. Carpe Diem. Seize the day boys. Make your lives extraordinary.

(To be continued...)

A/N: It's been a long time since I last saw this movie... I remember watching this movie in Mrs. Sweikert's Creative Writing class during high school... This speech definitely made an impression on me... Of all the roles Robin Williams played in his illustrious career, I think this one is my all-time favorite... ( ^_^ )