Topic > Understanding the Meaning of Carpe Diem

The phrase “carpe diem” or “seize the day” is commonly used as inspiration for books, films, poems, and many different types of art. But what does this phrase mean? Where does it come from? What are some examples of using this phrase? Taking a look at films like Dead Poets Society and other sources can help answer these questions. The phrase “carpe diem” was first found in Book I of the Odes, written by the poet Quintus Horace Flaccus, more commonly known as Horace. In the Odes Horace writes: “Dum loquimur, fugerit invida Aetas: carpe diem, quam minimal credula postero”. This translates to “As we speak, time flies in envy: seize the day, put no faith in the future.” Lord Byron, a British poet, was the man who used the phrase in a way that made others start using it more. In his work 'Letters' (written in 1817, published in 1830 by Thomas Moore), he writes: “I never anticipate, - carpe diem - the past at least is ours, and this is one of the reasons for making sure of the present. ”Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The meaning of the phrase “carpe diem” is usually interpreted as “seize the day.” Latin translators, however, will tell you that “carpe diem” actually translates to “to seize the day,” “to seize” referring to the harvesting of the fruit. Horace's injunction “carpe diem quam minimal credula postero”, literally translated, means “seize the moment, trusting as little as possible in the next”. Many people have shortened this statement to simply “carpe diem,” and everyone translates it to “seize the day.” “Carpe diem” is the inspiration for numerous poems, the main phrase of films or the motto of new books. Poems like To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time by Robert Herrick, whose first stanza says: Gather the rosebuds while you can, the old times still fly; and this same flower that smiles today will die tomorrow. This verse is the same one that John Keating had Gerard Pitts read aloud during his first poetry lesson in the film Dead Poets' Day. This lesson ended with Mr. Keating telling his students to “carpe diem,” seize the day. The main phrase of Dead Poets Society could just be “carpe diem”. Many of the characters in this film seem to take this phrase to heart, some of these characters are Knox Overstreet, Todd Anderson, and Neil Perry. Knox Overstreet, a few evenings after Keating's lecture, went to the Danbury house. When Chet Danbury's girlfriend, Chris Noel, answered the door, Knox appeared to fall in love. Towards the end of the film, Knox works up the courage to ask Chris to go to the theater with him, and she agrees. Knox used the idea of ​​"carpe diem" to steel his nerves and ask out the girl he likes. Neil Perry, in the beginning, always did what his parents wanted and followed his father's orders. After the class, Keating discovered that he loved acting and poetry. Remember: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay You get the idea to reboot the Dead Poets Society and star in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Neil lies to his parents and school, faking a letter from his father giving him permission to star in the show while the Dead Poets Society meets in secret. During his great performance as Puck, the protagonist of the play, Neil's father shows up. After an argument with his parents, Neil goes to bed, only to end his life later that night. Neil had used "carpe diem" to act out his newfound love of acting and to challenge his father for once. Todd Anderson was a.