Dead Poets' Society

Main characters 


Before watching the film, read this quotation on the nature and relevance of poetry:

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."  (Dead Poets' Society


Some poems that appear on the film:



To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the Sun,
The higher he's a-getting;
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer heòs to setting.

That age is best, which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.

- Robert Herrick

**********

But only in their dreams can men be truly free
It was always thus and always thus will be.

- Keating

**********

Shall I compare thee to a summeròs day
Thou art more lovely and more temperate

-Shakespeare

**********

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
All that's best of dark and bright
Melt in her aspect and her eyes:

- Byron
**********

Answer these questions:

1- What does "Carpe Diem" mean?
2- What two approaches to education are presented in the film?
3- What is the relationship between teachers and pupils in the film? Is this relationship different or similar in your school?
4- What is the relationship between parents and children?