CLOSE

As we mourn the loss of one of this generation’s most prolific and versatile actors, The Urban Daily couldn’t help but remember one of Robin Williams’ most defining moments on film. In the above scene from “Dead Poets Society,” Williams was masterful as he taught his class and all of us, why we read and write 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. To quote from Whitman, “O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?” Answer: that you are here; that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?

Earlier this year, the monologue was given new life when Apple used it as the perfect backdrop for  a commercial launching it’s latest gadget, the  iPad Air.

 

<p>Facebook Live Is Loading....</p>