speech at funeral in four weddings

Nik Sargent

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Poem from "four weddings and a funeral" lyrics & recording.

There's a beautiful poem by W H Auden from the film "Four Weddings and a Funeral" called "Funeral Blues" and read by John Hannah. It's amazingly powerful. I've read it here against an audio backdrop of "When Darkness Falls" by Secret Garden - which I felt made an evocative combination. 

mp3 of Funeral Blues / When Darkness Falls read by Nik Sargent

Funeral Blues

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,  Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,  Silence the pianos and with muffled drum  Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. 

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead  Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.  Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,  Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. 

He was my North, my South, my East and West,  My working week and my Sunday rest,  My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;  I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong. 

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,  Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,  Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;  For nothing now can ever come to any good. 

W.H. Auden 

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Funeral Blues by WH Auden

That 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' poem aka  'Stop All the Clocks' - analysis, audio, history and printable

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 01-07-2024

WH Auden's 'Funeral Blues' poem, also known as (aka) 'Stop All the Clocks', is one of the most loved and most read at memorial services. It's been that way ever since it was movingly recited by actor John Hannah in the enormously successful 1994 English romantic comedy: 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'.

The poem addresses the overwhelming impact the death of a loved one has. It asks, how can anything, or anyone, possibly continue to exist after such an event? From the point of view of the bereaved person, the world, and everything in it, should immediately stop. Or at least, have the decency to go into mourning.

To read the poem, to listen to it, to read an analysis of it, to find out about its history and to download a printable of it for your own use, use the page jump links below.

What's on this page

• Funeral Blues (Stop All the Clocks) - the poem
• A recording of Funeral Blues to listen to
• Analysis of Funeral Blues : Stanza 1 , Stanza 2 , Stanza 3 , Stanza 4
• Figures of speech, and more, in Funeral Blues

A brief history of Funeral Blues

• A printable pdf of Funeral Blues to download for your own use
• Additional resources  

Funeral Blues (Stop All the Clocks) by WH Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead. Put crepe bows round the white necks of public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West. My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; For nothing now can ever come to any good.

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Listen to a reading of Funeral Blues

Here's a recording of the poem. The voice you're hearing is mine, Susan Dugdale's . (That's me in the photo in the right-hand column of this page if you're on desktop or below the main content if you're on mobile.) 

Analysis of Funeral Blues

'Funeral Blues', or 'Stop All the Clocks', is an * elegy. It has four, four-line * stanzas which use rhyming couplets. The poem makes its point through the extensive use of * hyperbole.  

The word 'Blues' in the title links the poem to the blues musical genre and to the expression 'to have the blues'.

Blues music grew out of  the suffering caused by slavery and segregation that African-Americans endured. By extension, 'to have the blues' means to be melancholy or depressed.

The linking helps make the poem easily accessible. All of us understand what it is 'to have the blues' and many of us will be familiar with blues music and its common themes: emotional trauma, pain and grief.

* To find out what the  words with an asterisk after them mean click the link: Figures of speech in Funeral Blues

Stanza 1: Stop all the clocks, ...

'Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.'

The opening stanza is a series of abrupt commands. The speaker, the bereaved person, is issuing instructions about what they want to happen, beginning with the household. By line four, the close of the stanza, they have moved from the private sphere of the home to the public sphere of the street.

The first command, 'Stop all the clocks' is a common 19th century mourning practice from Victorian England. One reason given for it was to allow the soul of the deceased person to move into the next life without worrying about time. Another was to mark the exact time of death.

The next one to 'Cut off the telephone' is a reference to what happened after its inventor, Alexander Graham Bell died in 1922.  At that time there were 14 million telephones in USA.  At his funeral, as a mark of respect, they were silenced for one minute. ( Telephones Were Silenced for One Minute After Alexander Graham Bell Died | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine )

The speaker assumes that if it could be done for Bell, it can also be done for his beloved who is every bit as important.

It also suggests removal from everyday life: from the busyness of telephones ringing, from chatting and a retreat into silence.  

The second line tells whoever is in charge of the household's dog they need to stop it from barking as a mark of respect.  Its excitement about having a juicy bone to gnaw should not be allowed to disturb the silence.

The third line continues the theme. Pianos need to be quiet too. At the time the poem was written (1936) pianos in homes were common. People gathered around them to sing, to dance, to enjoy themselves. Therefore, they also need to be shut down.

The remainder of the line, '...and with a muffled drum', and the opening of the following one, 'Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.', take us from the private realm into the public.

The phrase 'muffled drum' refers to damping down the sound a drum makes when it is beaten. The slow somber beat of muffled drums is part of a military funeral or the funeral of a person of high office. 

Such is the grief of the speaker that they expect a throng of mourners to follow the coffin to the graveyard for burial. The supposition is that everyone will feel as they do.

Is this hyperbole * ? Absolutely it is. Commonsense tells us so. The world is not going to stop because a person who is deeply loved has died. For 99.99% of us there will be no 'muffled drums' or 'cut off telephones' or anything else the speaker is requesting.

However, the point is not whether or not the demands are reasonable or a deluded exaggeration of the speaker's power to influence public expressions of grief.  It is that this is how deeply the speaker feels.

Each command serves to underline and reinforce the importance of the deceased in the speaker's life.

The rhyme scheme for this stanza is AA BB.

Lines 1 and 2 end with tele phone and bone . Lines 3 and 4 end with drum and come .

Stanza 2: 'Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead...' 

"Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead. Put crepe bows round the white necks of public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves."

Stanza two continues the idea that everyone and everything should be involved in marking the death of the beloved. It is now to be a grand public ceremonial occasion, and no effort or expense will be spared. 

Lines 1 and 2 continues and extends the military motif.  Aeroplanes, likely from the air force are going to fly above the funeral procession writing the message 'He is Dead' in the sky.

Again, this is hyperbole for effect. The use of the word 'moaning' to describe the sound of the aircraft's engines makes the image even more evocative. Even the aeroplanes are in pain!

That they will 'scribble' rather than 'write' adds to the impact too. 'Scribble' tells us more, as does the message, 'He is Dead'.

The use of the word 'He' makes an assumption that everyone who sees the messages will know who they're referring to. He does not need to be named. He needs no introduction. He's famous.

Additionally, 'Dead' gets an uppercase 'd' emphasizing the significance of what happened to Him.

The 3rd and 4th line of the stanza continue the reference to 19th century mourning customs made in the first stanza.

Victorians who could afford it wore clothing made from black silk crepe fabric: dresses, coats, hats, veils... Those who couldn't afford to replace all their clothing wore black crepe neckties, armbands and bows. Wearing black showed everyone you met you had been recently bereaved.

On a literal level we know tying black crepe mourning bows around the necks of the thousands of doves who flock in public places, like a city square, is impossible. It's pure fantasy!

While giving the traffic policemen black cotton gloves in exchange for their normal white ones is not so farfetched, it's still highly unlikely.

The hyperbole in this stanza is even more extravagant than the first. It works, only if we put ourselves in the place of the speaker.

If it were us who had suffered this loss, would we feel similarly? That we would want a unified public outpouring of grief of the sort normally only accorded to the highest-ranking public servants, royalty, an esteemed celebrity or a revered hero?

The deceased was the most important person in our lives: to us a Queen or King, a bright beautiful star...  Surely then, just like any other person of note, they too deserve the very best. 

The rhyme scheme for this stanza is CC DD.

Lines 1 and 2 end with over head and dead . (CC) Lines 3 and 4 end with doves and gloves . (DD)

Stanza 3: 'He was my North, my South, ...'

'He was my North, my South, my East and West. My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.'

The stanza brings us back to the speaker and lets us know unequivocally what the deceased meant to them through the use of hyperbolic metaphor * and repetition of the word 'my'. (e.g., '...my North, my South, my East and West.')

The first line tells us that he represents every point on the compass: which ever direction the speaker turns, he is there. There is no place without him.

The second line reinforces that idea by saying he is his life every day of the week: work or play.  Again, there is no day without him.

The third line repeats the idea using time and voice: how we express ourselves. Regardless of whether it's midnight or noon, talk (spoken language) or song (sung language), he is present.

The cumulative piling of paired metaphors: compass points, (North and South, East and West), days of the week (work and rest), noon and midnight, talk and song, builds to a crescendo that comes crashing down in the fourth line.

'I thought love would last forever; I was wrong.'

The speaker is brutally and abruptly reminded that death is part of life. It's a devastating reality that no amount of love, however strong or enduring, can change.

The rhyme scheme for this stanza is EE FF.

Lines 1 and 2 end with  West and rest . (EE) Lines 3 and 4 end with song and wrong . (FF)

Stanza 4: 'The stars are not wanted now:...'

'The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; For nothing now can ever come to any good.'

In the final stanza the speaker returns to issuing instructions- all of them examples of grandiose hyperbole. 

This time it's the natural world that is to be packed up - just like you'd clean up, tidy and put away after a special event.

Here the event that's finished is the partnership, love affair or marriage. All the romantic associations of being with your loved one in nature are not wanted any more. They are rude reminders of what was and need to go.

Henceforth, there will be no star gazing, walking in the moonlight, picnicking in the woods, or sunbathing at the beach.

Nature has lost its purpose and value. It needs to be tidied away, out of sight. At best, put into storage.

The last line of the poem, 'For nothing now can ever come to any good.', tells us the speaker has fallen into bleak black hopeless despair. 

The rhyme scheme for this stanza is GG HH.

Lines 1 and 2 end with  one and sun . (GG) Lines 3 and 4 end with wood and good . (HH)

Figures of speech and more: Funeral Blues

Knowing a little about how and why a poem works can be helpful toward deepening your understanding and appreciation of it.

To that end I've made a few brief notes about the type of poem Funeral Blues is, its structure (how its content/lines are organized) and the principal figures of speech it uses.

What is an elegy?

* An elegy can be either a song or a poem lamenting a death. It could a lament for a person who has died, for places and people destroyed by disasters, (man-made or natural), or for an era that has passed. Its tone is reverent, solemn, sorrowful and reflective.

(The word 'elegy' is often confused with the word 'eulogy'. While they don't have the same meanings, they share a similar purpose: to honor a death. 'Eulogy' is the name given to a formal speech or written piece celebrating the life of a person who has recently died.)    Click the link to read more elegies in this Guardian UK article: From Catullus to Dyland Thomas: the top 10 elegies

What is a stanza?

* A stanza is the name given to a group of lines in a poem. On a printed page or screen, they are visually separated from other lines by a double space or an indentation. A stanza in a poem is the equivalent of a paragraph in an essay or an article. The word 'verse' and 'stanza' are often used interchangeably. However, there are differences between them. The word 'verse' is much broader is meaning. To find out more click the link:  Verse vs. Stanza: What Is the Difference?

What is a rhyming couplet?

* A rhyming couplet is two consecutive lines whose end words have the same or very similar sounds.

For example:

The words at the end of the first two lines in the first stanza of Funeral Blues are telephone and bone. Said aloud they share the same final sound: teleph one and b one .

At the end of the next two lines (lines three and four) are the words drum and come. They share the sound: dr um and c ome when spoken.

Funeral Blues has eight rhyming couplets: two in each of its four stanzas.

Funeral Blues rhyme scheme

The rhyme scheme of 'Funeral Blues' corresponds with the spoken sounds used in each of its rhyming couplets. 

Because the sound... one from the word teleph one  is the opening sound, the one at the end of the first line, it is labelled A. And because there are two lines with that sound, (the second is b one ), it is written as AA.

Lines 3 and 4 introduce a new sound: dr um and c ome . Therefore, it is given the next letter of the alphabet as its label: B. Those two lines are BB.

So, the rhyme scheme of the first stanza is AA BB, denoting two rhyming couplets.  

Every time a sound that hasn't been used previously is introduced, it takes the next letter in the alphabet for its label.

In stanza two the rhyme scheme is CC DD because both C and D are new sounds. The introduction of new sounds also occurs in stanzas three and four and their rhyme schemes are EE FF and GG HH.

What is hyperbole?

* Hyperbole is the deliberate use of extreme exaggeration for emphasis.  It is not supposed to be taken literally.

Common examples are 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.', or 'I've told you a thousand times already!'.

What is metaphor?

* A  metaphor is a figure of speech claiming one thing is another to illustrate or explain something.

For instance, in 'Funeral Blues' u sing 'He was my North, my South, my East and West.' to express how important the deceased was to him is more powerful than simply saying, 'I loved him.'. It gives us a sense of the totality of his love.  Wherever he turned, he was there: at every compass point. There was no place without him.

Several years after it was written the tone and purpose of 'Funeral Blues' morphed remarkably: undergoing a complete transformation.

An initial version of the poem originally appeared in a 1936 play: 'The Ascent of F6' which WH Auden co-wrote with playwright Christopher Isherwood for an experimental theatre company they both belonged to, called The Group Theatre . Fellow Group member Benjamin Britten composed the music for the show, including a setting for 'Funeral Blues'.

In the context of the play the poem's purpose was to illustrate the extreme and often absurd claims that are sometimes made about a public figure once they are dead: how they become significantly greater than they were in life.

Its lush language echoes and mocks the typically used overblown formulaic expressions of grief while the degree of pomp and ceremonial splendor of their state funeral is beyond credibility. (Even the doves will wear black crepe bows!)

In this setting the tone is satirical, and the extremity of its hyperbole makes the poem a farcical send-up of a state ceremonial funeral. 

The poem is revised

Sometime later WH Auden took the poem out of the play, kept the first two stanzas and dropped the last three containing references tying it to its origin.

The reworked version with two new stanzas, the ones we know beginning: 'He was my North, my South ...' and 'The stars are not wanted now ...', appeared in a 1938 anthology called 'The Year’s Poetry'. 

Those stanzas transformed the poem into a sincere lament for a true love lost and the mockery and satire apparent in its first iteration vanished. 

Funeral Blues becomes a cabaret song

In 1940, the revised 'Funeral Blues' was published once again. This time it appeared under the heading ‘Four Cabaret Songs for Miss Hedli Anderson’ in the collection of Auden's poems 'Another Time'. 

Hedli Anderson was a singer and principal performer in the first productions of 'The Ascent of F6'. Benjamin Britten and Auden had been impressed by her ability and collaborated on songs for her to perform. 

To listen to 'Funeral Blues' being sung by English mezzo-soprano Katie Bray with William Vann on piano, click either this link,  Funeral Blues (Cabaret Songs) by Benjamin Britten with text by WH Auden  or the YouTube image below. (The link will open in a new window)

I think it's wonderful!

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Fast forward fifty-four years. In 1994 the hugely successful English romantic comedy 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' was released.

The funeral, referenced in the film's title, included a heartbreakingly poignant reading of 'Funeral Blues' by actor John Hannah in the role of Mathew mourning the death of his partner Gareth. His moving delivery, and the popularity of the film, ensured the poem would go on to be used by countless others all over the world for the same purpose.

Today, several decades after the film first screened, 'Funeral Blues' is one of most loved and frequently read funeral poems. 

Download a printable pdf of Funeral Blues

Click the image below to download a printable pdf of Funeral Blues for your own use.  (Please note the link for the pdf will open in a new window.) 

Additional resources

• An introduction to 'Stop all the clocks' - an excellent in-depth article by Seamus Perry for the British Library
• A brief biography of WH Auden - a very good overview by William Green on poemanalysis.com
• Funeral Blues - a Wikipedia article with numerous reference links to Auden's work, Christopher Isherwood, Benjamin Britten, analytical pieces, events where the poem has been read ... 

Other resources for memorials & funerals

• Poems to read at funerals : a gateway link to three selections of readings for memorial services, audio of four different 'Remember Me' poems (with printables of each of them), plus audio and a printable of these much-loved funeral poems: Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep, The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi and I Am Standing Upon the Seashore.
• Resources for eulogies - a quick reference directory to all the pages on write-out-loud.com offering practical help to write and deliver a eulogy. There's links to 70+ example eulogies plus step-by-step guidelines for writing, with a printable planner to download and use.   

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Four Weddings And A Funeral Script - Dialogue Transcript

Four weddings and a funeral script.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Four Weddings and a Funeral is a 1994 British romantic comedy film about the fortunes of a British man and his group of friends as they wonder if they will ever find true love and marry.

• 7 External links

Charles [ edit ]

• Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to drag you from your delicious desserts. [pause] There are just one or two little things I feel I should say, as best man. This is only the second time I've been a best man. I hope I did OK that time. The couple in question are at least still talking to me. Unfortunately, they're not actually talking to each other. The divorce came through a couple of months ago. But I'm assured it had absolutely nothing to do with me. Paula knew Piers had slept with her sister before I mentioned it in the speech. The fact that he'd slept with her mother came as a surprise, but I think was incidental to the nightmare of recrimination and violence that became their two-day marriage. Anyway, enough of that. My job today is to talk about Angus. There are no skeletons in his cupboard. [pause] Or so I thought. I'll come on to that in a minute. I would just like to say this. I am, as ever, in bewildered awe of anyone who makes this kind of commitment that Angus and Laura have made today. I know I couldn't do it and I think it's wonderful they can. So, back to Angus and those sheep.
• [Carrie asks Charles's opinion on her wedding dress] It is dangerous! You know, there's nothing more off-putting in a wedding than a priest with an enormous erection, yech!

Tom [ edit ]

• Oh, I don't know, Charlie. Unlike you, I never expected "the thunderbolt." I always just hoped that, that I'd meet some nice friendly girl, like the look of her, hope the look of me didn't make her physically sick, then pop the question and, um, settle down and be happy. It worked for my parents. Well, apart from the divorce and all that.
• The great advantage of having a reputation for being stupid: People are less suspicious of you.

Others [ edit ]

• ["I was adored once too" Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, 2.3.180, spoken by Sir Andrew]
• Matthew : [At Gareth's funeral] Gareth used to prefer funerals to weddings. He said it was easier to get enthusiastic about a ceremony one had an outside chance of eventually being involved in. [Pause] In order to prepare this speech, I rang a few people, to get a general picture of how Gareth was regarded by those who met him. Fat seems to be a word people most connected with him. Terribly rude also rang a lot of bells. So very fat and very rude seems to have been a stranger's viewpoint. [pause] On the other hand, some of you have been kind enough to ring me to tell me that you loved him, which I know he'd be thrilled to hear. You remember his fabulous hospitality... his strange experimental cooking. The recipe for "Duck à la Banana" fortunately goes with him to his grave. Most of all, you tell me of his enormous capacity for joy. When joyful, when joyful for highly vocal drunkenness. [pause] But joyful is how I hope you'll remember him. Not stuck in a box in a church. Pick your favourite of his waistcoats and remember him that way. The most splendid, replete, big-hearted, weak-hearted as it turned out, and jolly bugger most of us ever met. As for me, you may ask how I will remember him, what I thought of him. Unfortunately, there I run out of words. Perhaps you will forgive me if I turn from my own feelings to the words of another splendid bugger: W. H. Auden . This is actually what I want to say: "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. Silence the pianos and with muffled drum, Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Let the aeroplanes circle, moaning overhead, Scribbling on the sky the message 'He is Dead'. Put crepe bows 'round the white necks of the public doves, Let traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest; My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song. I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now; put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood, For nothing now can ever come to any good."

Dialogue [ edit ]

Taglines [ edit ].

• He's quite engaging. She's otherwise engaged.
• An Outrageously Funny Affair
• Five good reasons to stay single
• Love is on the air, run for cover

Cast [ edit ]

• Hugh Grant – Charles
• Andie MacDowell – Carrie
• James Fleet – Tom
• Simon Callow – Gareth
• John Hannah – Matthew
• Kristin Scott Thomas – Fiona
• David Bower – David
• Charlotte Coleman – Scarlett
• Rowan Atkinson – Father Gerald
• Anna Chancellor – Henrietta ("Duckface")
• David Haig – Bernard
• Sophie Thompson – Lydia

External links [ edit ]

• Four Weddings and a Funeral quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• Four Weddings and a Funeral at Rotten Tomatoes

• British films
• Romantic comedy films
• LGBT-related films
• Screenplays by Richard Curtis
• Films about weddings
• Films directed by Mike Newell
• Gay-related films

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• February 24, 2024

Table of Contents

The Eulogy Scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral

The eulogy's content and delivery, impact of the eulogy on the film and audience, frequently asked questions.

The eulogy in Four Weddings and a Funeral has remained an iconic moment in cinema history, leaving audiences in tears and prompting reflection on the impact of a dedicated eulogy at a funeral. This powerful scene highlights the importance of a heartfelt eulogy, and the emotional weight it carries for both the person giving the speech and those in attendance. In this article, we’ll delve into the infamous eulogy, explore its impact, and how it resonates with the message of Eulogy Assistant .

In the 1994 British romantic comedy film Four Weddings and a Funeral, one of the most memorable and emotional scenes is the eulogy given by the character Matthew, played by actor John Hannah. Matthew delivers a deeply poignant and moving eulogy for his partner, Gareth, who dies unexpectedly at one of the weddings. This eulogy serves to bind together the tapestry of emotions that are experienced in the film, and becomes an unforgettable moment in both cinema and the characters' lives.

Matthew's eulogy is an adaption of W.H. Auden's poem "Funeral Blues" or "Stop All the Clocks". The poem's captivating words and beautiful imagery, combined with the heart-wrenching delivery by John Hannah, create a powerful and emotional experience for the audience.

The poem speaks of loss and love, and the immeasurable importance of the person who has passed away. As Matthew reads the poem, it is evident just how significant Gareth was in his life, and how difficult it is for him to come to terms with the sudden loss of his partner.

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The eulogy not only showcases the deep sorrow that comes with losing a loved one but also the immense love shared between two people, making it one of the most unforgettable moments in the film.

The eulogy in Four Weddings and a Funeral carries an incredible impact, both on the characters within the film and the audience watching. It demonstrates the power of a well-crafted and thoughtful eulogy and the emotions that can be evoked through a genuine and heartfelt speech.

For audiences, the eulogy is a touching moment that brings the reality of loss to the forefront. The unexpected death of Gareth and Matthew's emotional tribute to him serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and how deeply a loss can be felt.

Moreover, it helps raise awareness of the importance of a beautifully constructed eulogy to lovingly honor a loved one.

What Is The Eulogy In Four Weddings And A Funeral Example:

Here’s an excerpt of the memorable eulogy from Four Weddings and a Funeral:

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

This powerful adaptation of W.H. Auden's poem "Funeral Blues" highlights the importance of a meaningful and heartfelt eulogy by capturing the essence of love and loss, making it an iconic moment in cinematic history.

In conclusion, the eulogy in Four Weddings and a Funeral serves to remind us of the immense emotional power a eulogy can hold. A truly heartfelt and sincere tribute can resonate with its audience and become a crucial part of memorializing a loved one. In capturing the essence of a person and the role they played in our lives, a eulogy helps provide solace and closure in moments of deep sorrow.

What is the significance of the eulogy in "Four Weddings and a Funeral"?

The eulogy in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" is a pivotal moment that captures the essence of love, loss, friendship, and mourning. It serves as a heart-wrenching yet affectionate tribute from the character Matthew to his deceased partner, Gareth, which reflects on the themes of companionship and the unpredictability of life. It's a profound moment that adds emotional depth to the film and resonates with the audience.

Who delivers the eulogy in the film?

The character Matthew, played by actor John Hannah, delivers the eulogy in the film for his companion Gareth, portrayed by Simon Callow.

What poem is recited during the eulogy and who wrote it?

During the eulogy, Matthew recites the poem "Funeral Blues" or "Stop all the clocks," which is written by W.H. Auden.

What is the main theme of the eulogy?

The main theme of the eulogy is the profound sense of loss experienced by the bereaved, as well as a celebration of the life and impact Gareth had on those around him. It addresses the deep emotions surrounding the passing of a loved one and the importance of cherishing the memories shared.

Can the eulogy be considered a turning point in the film?

Yes, the eulogy can be considered a turning point in the film because it brings a somber gravity to the narrative, contrasting the otherwise lighthearted and romantic tone of the movie. It also reinforces the impact that each character has on the lives of others, reminding viewers of the seriousness of love and the inevitability of loss.

How does the eulogy scene affect the characters in the movie?

The eulogy scene affects the characters by bringing them closer together in their shared grief and prompting them to reflect on their own lives and relationships. It serves as a catalyst for the main character, Charles, to reevaluate his approach to love and commitment.

What impact does the eulogy have on the audience?

The impact of the eulogy on the audience is emotional and profound. It often elicits tears and can resonate with anyone who has experienced the loss of someone close. The delivery of such powerful words in the context of love and friendship allows viewers to form a deeper connection with the characters and themes of the film.

Has the eulogy in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" influenced pop culture?

Yes, the eulogy, especially the recited poem, has left a lasting impression on pop culture. It is frequently referenced in other media and has been used in real-life funerals as a reading. Its depth and emotional resonance have solidified its place as a memorable cinematic moment.

How does the film portray grief and coping with loss?

The film portrays grief as a multifaceted and deeply personal experience. Through the reactions of various characters, viewers see different ways of coping with loss, from heartache to humor and from denial to acceptance. It subtly illustrates that there is no right way to grieve and that it's a process that one has to navigate individually.

Does the eulogy bring a sense of closure in the film?

Although the eulogy provides a powerful moment of acknowledgement for Gareth's life, the film continues to explore the aftermath of his death and its impact on the group of friends. This allows for a natural progression of healing and provides insight into how life continues despite loss, rather than offering a finite sense of closure.

What is the tone of the eulogy delivered in the film?

The tone of the eulogy is somber yet heartfelt. It captures a sense of deep melancholy blended with the warmth of cherished memories. Matthew's delivery adds a layer of authenticity and raw emotion to the words of W.H. Auden's poem.

What role does friendship play in the eulogy scene?

Friendship plays a crucial role in the eulogy scene, highlighting the strong bond among the group of friends in the film. The scene underscores the support system that friends provide in times of sorrow, and how shared love and memories can offer strength and comfort during difficult times.

How is love depicted during the eulogy?

Love is depicted as a profound, enduring force that transcends even death. During the eulogy, love is shown to be a source of both joy and pain, capturing the bittersweet nature of a deep emotional connection that doesn't end with the physical passing of a loved one.

What makes the eulogy memorable?

The eulogy is memorable because of its emotional depth, excellent acting, and the timeless quality of the poetry used. The combination of these elements creates a poignant cinematic moment that stays with the viewer long after the film has ended.

Can you provide a brief description of the scene in which the eulogy is presented?

In the film, the eulogy is presented during the funeral service for Gareth. Amidst a gathered crowd of mourners, Matthew stands at the podium and, after a few personal remarks, begins to recite "Funeral Blues." The scene is shot in a way that reflects the heartache of the moment, focusing on the faces of the attendees who are visibly moved by the touching tribute.

Is the eulogy relevant to the themes of the other weddings depicted in the movie?

The eulogy is relevant to the overarching themes of love and relationships as it emphasizes the depth and realities of commitment, which is a prevalent subject throughout the various weddings and relationships portrayed in the movie. It provides a contrast to the more lighthearted aspects of romantic commitment, presenting a sober reminder of the vows of "in sickness and in health, till death do us part."

What lessons can viewers take away from the eulogy scene?

Viewers may take away several lessons from the eulogy scene, including the importance of expressing love and appreciation for others while they are still alive, the value of supportive friendships, and the universality of loss. It also prompts reflection on what truly matters in life and how to cope with the inevitability of death.

Was the inclusion of W.H. Auden's poem planned from the film's inception?

The inclusion of W.H. Auden's poem was a decision made during the filmmaking process. It was chosen because it aptly conveyed the sentiments of the scene and complemented the film's exploration of love and loss.

What feedback did the film receive regarding the eulogy?

The film received widespread acclaim for the eulogy scene, particularly for its emotional impact and John Hannah's moving performance. Critics and audiences alike praised the scene for its evocative portrayal of grief and love, elevating it to one of the most memorable moments in the film.

How might someone who has recently experienced a loss relate to the eulogy?

Someone who has recently experienced a loss might find the eulogy to be achingly familiar and cathartic. The sentiments expressed in the scene may resonate with their personal feelings of grief, providing them a sense of solidarity and an understanding that they are not alone in their experience of loss.

How has the eulogy influenced the way funerals are depicted on-screen?

The eulogy in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" has influenced on-screen depictions of funerals by setting a benchmark for emotional authenticity and the power of simple, heartfelt tributes. It has encouraged filmmakers to embrace the complexity of human emotions during farewells and underscored the cinematic potential of such intensely personal moments.

What makes "Four Weddings and a Funeral" a significant film culturally?

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" is culturally significant due to its portrayal of British social mores, its successful blending of comedy and drama, and its thoughtful examination of love, friendship, and the human condition. The film broke new ground in the romantic comedy genre and the eulogy scene, in particular, contributed to its enduring appeal and cultural impact.

At Eulogy Assistant , we understand the significance of crafting the perfect eulogy to honor your loved one. Our articles and resources aim to make the process of writing a fitting tribute more manageable, so you can focus on celebrating their life. If you found this guide insightful, please feel free to share it and explore other articles on our website to help you during this emotional journey.

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