The most famous epitaph belongs to William Shakespeare. It marks his grave at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The words have protected his bones since 1616.
The epitaph reads: “Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.”
Shakespeare wrote these lines himself. He wanted to stop anyone from moving his remains. This fear had basis in fact. The practice of moving bones was common in English churches of his time.
When churches ran out of burial space, workers would dig up old graves. They would move the bones to make room for new burials. Shakespeare did not want this fate for his remains.
The curse worked. No one has moved Shakespeare’s bones in over 400 years. Even when repairs were made to the church, workers left his grave alone.
The epitaph stands out for its direct threat. Most grave markers of the time used gentle, religious words. Shakespeare chose to curse anyone who would disturb his rest.
The words show Shakespeare’s skill with language. He used simple words to create a powerful message. The rhythm makes the curse easy to remember.
The threat carries weight because of who wrote it. Shakespeare was England’s greatest writer. His curse made people think twice about moving his bones.
Other famous epitaphs exist. Benjamin Franklin wrote a playful one about his “work as a printer.” Dorothy Parker joked that you might as well live. W.C. Fields wanted his marker to say “On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.”
But Shakespeare’s epitaph tops them all in fame. It combines his genius with a real curse. The words still draw visitors to his grave today.
The epitaph also tells us about Shakespeare as a person. He knew the power of words. He used them to protect himself even after death.
The curse shows his practical side. He didn’t write flowery poetry for his grave. He wrote a clear warning with real purpose.
Modern churches don’t move bones anymore. Yet Shakespeare’s epitaph remains a source of wonder. It gives us a direct link to his voice.
Tourists still flock to see these words carved in stone. They take photos and share them online. The epitaph lives on in popular culture.
Shakespeare’s final words prove the lasting power of language. A simple curse written in 1616 still holds power today. No other epitaph has matched its fame or impact.
The words did their job. Shakespeare’s bones rest undisturbed in Stratford-upon-Avon. His epitaph stands as his last great work of writing.