Memento Mori: Remember that you must die
Dear reader,
How often do you contemplate death? How often are thoughts of the inevitable assaulting your mind? Is the constant reminder of death necessary to lead a meaningful life?
The subject of death and its inevitability has been widely embedded in cultures all around the world, and across all historic periods.
Memento Mori, a Latin phrase, that translates to “remember that you must die” is a concept that is part of every person’s contemplation, when faced with existential questions and reality. It is a concept so important and widely discussed, that we can find it in many philosophical traditions and various forms of art. It serves as a reminder of the inevitable, encouraging individuals to live a humble and virtuous life.
Memento Mori in traditional practices
Philosophical traditions, based on memento mori, can be traced back to ancient Rome, where victorious generals were reminded of their mortality during triumphal parades. A servant would whisper “memento mori” in their ear as they basked in glory and adoration for their victories, ensuring they remain humble.
Moreover, it is believed that in Ancient Rome, it was common practice, to display objects and pictures, that portrayed death in various places (ex. Skulls, hourglasses etc.), to remind people of their mortality.
Memento Mori and its artistic expressions
An example of artistic expression of Memento Mori is a genre of still-life paintings, called Vanitas (Latin for “emptiness” or “vanity”), which emerged in the late 16th century in the Netherlands. These paintings include symbolic objects like skulls, extinguished candles, and decaying fruits to illustrate the transient nature of life and the decay of earthly pleasures. In the same period, Memento Mori jewelry became popular throughout Europe, with items such as pendants, lockets, rings and brooches, depicting tiny bones, skulls and coffins.
Another artistic expression of death is the medieval allegoric concept of the Danse Macabre (from French: Dance of death). This concept appeared in popular poetry, drama and music. The Danse consists of the dead and the living from all walks of life (ex. A pope, emperor, king, child). The living are being led to a grave by the dead and all the subjects are often dancing around the grave, creating a surreal and contradicting picture.
Famous examples of this concept are the paintings in the Cimetière des Innocents in Paris, which were sadly destroyed in 1699, and the works of German painter Hans Holbein the Younger, from the early 16th century.
Memento Mori in philosophy
It’s correct to assume that death and life are at the forefront of all philosophical theories. From the Thracians to the ancient Greeks, to Roman philosophers, they all contemplate on the common perception of death and more importantly, the acceptance of the body’s mortal reality.
According to Epicurus, we have no reason to fear death, quite the opposite – we must relinquish that fear, in order live a happy life. He argues that “while we exist, death is not present, and when death is present, we no longer exist”. This argument is based on the logic that death is the permanent extinction of consciousness.
Socrates himself, states that the sole purpose of philosophy is to “practice for dying and death”. Maybe this statement aims to stimulate our minds to come to terms with the inevitable and recognize the temporary nature of us and all around us.
The Stoics aligned fully with the Memento Mori concept as well. They considered that a person should always keep death as a reminder that nothing is permanent and that we are all mortal beings.
Seneca writes that death is neither a good, nor a bad thing. According to him, one should not fear death, but should reflect that those who die suffer no evil and they are led to complete freedom. He thinks that life has a meaning only because we die: “Life, it is thanks to Death that I hold thee so dear. Think how great a blessing is a timely death, how many have been injured by living longer than they ought.” Memento Mori, indeed.
Memento Mori in Christianity
Memento Mori can be found in Christian scriptures, art and architecture. The concept of mortality is of course discussed in some biblical passages, such as ““In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin” (Sirach 7:36).
In Ecclesiastes 7:2, the preacher says that “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” It’s because death is inevitable that Psalm 90:12 prays, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
This concept is also used as an artistic expression to inspire reverence, an example of that are the ossuary churches – churches which contain or are lined with bones.
Memento Mori in Literature and Drama
Memento Mori has been expressed again and again in poetry, prose and theater. The most known expression, however, can be found in Shakespear’s playwright “Hamlet”
In Hamlet, the hero contemplates death through various angles: as an aftermath of his father’s murder, as a person who is crushed by suffering and is pondering the idea of suicide and fear of death.
In his famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy (III.i), Hamlet concludes that no one would choose to endure the pain of life if he or she were not afraid of what will come after death, and that it is this fear which causes complex moral considerations. This conclusion comes from the fact, that Hamlet himself longs for his death, but fears suicide due to its prohibition in Christianity, and the fear of damnation to hell.
Conclusion
Memento Mori transcends cultures and religions and serves as a powerful reminder of our mortality and the inevitable end. Memento Mori can serve as a powerful motivator as well – a reminder to live a humble and virtuous life, filled with purpose. In any case, whether through literature, art or philosophy, the contemplation of death is and will remain a key influence of each person’s understanding and approach to human existence.