HKB
4 passages · search this phrase →
Often appears with: the fear of death · crime and punishment · will, choice, and freedom · waiting for dawn · suicide and self-destruction · ship steward to cadiz · religious persecution and toleration · poison and healing drugs · magic, witchcraft, and the occult · madness and disordered mind · intervention · hera's intervention
Usually: confronting death (4) · narrative (2) · the test or trial (2) · detachment (2) · lament (2) · argument (1) · reflection (1) · crisis of belief (1) · exhortation (1) · indignation (1)
“He assured me, that one sin unatoned for was as sufficient to damn a soul as one leak was to sink a ship.” Olaudah Equiano (also known as Gustavus Vassa), The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equ · observation
“And will so rise and hang himself; I can then see no other way but either bind him fast in his bed, or else essay whether that might hap to help him” Sir Thomas More, Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation · observation
At Westminster chapel Equiano is examined for communion and told that one unatoned sin condemns; he is refused, later returns to sea on a ship bound for Cadiz, and wrestles with fear of hell and thoughts of suicide.
Now I thought much of my good works, and at the same time was doubtful of my being a proper object to receive the sacrament; I was full of meditation till the day of examining. However, I went to the chapel, and, though much distressed, I addressed the reverend gentleman, thinking, if I was not right, he would endeavour to convince me of it. When I conversed with him, the first thing he asked me was, what I knew of C…
In the dungeon, Christian laments his misery and debates whether life or death is better, questioning whether he should submit to the Giant’s rule.
to go back, but it was so dark, and the flood was so high, that in their going back they had like to have been drowned nine or ten times. {283} Neither could they, with all the skill they had, get again to the stile that night. Wherefore, at last, lighting under a little shelter, they sat down there until the daybreak; but, being weary, they fell asleep. Now there was, not far from the place where they lay, a castle…
Medea considers suicide with drugs in a casket, but Hera’s prompting and fear of Hades reverse her decision, leading her to wait for dawn to give Jason the promised charms.
Far better would it be for me to forsake life this very night in my chamber by some mysterious fate, escaping all slanderous reproach, before I complete such nameless dishonour." She spake, and brought a casket wherein lay many drugs, some for healing, others for killing, and placing it upon her knees she wept. And she drenched her bosom with ceaseless tears, which flowed in torrents as she sat, bitterly bewailing h…
If the monk is immovably certain and will surely kill himself, Anthony recommends binding him or keeping him under watch, while implying prayer by friends may be the only other real recourse.
not me, and he himself is in himself as sure that it is a true revelation as that he can tell that he dreameth not but talketh with me awake. ANTHONY: Without doubt, cousin, if he abide at that point and can by no reason be brought to do so much as doubt, nor can by no means be shogged out of his dead sleep, but will needs take his dream for a very truth, and--as some men rise by night and walk about their chamber …