“A Litany in Time of Plague” is a poem by Thomas Nashe, who is writing about death and
examining it from a different unusual perspective, an embracement one. The poet wears a
wise-man hat, who is currently on the death-bed and reflecting on a series of existential questions
- which usually come to mind in the time of illness- :
What is life really about? “ This world uncertain is;/ Fond are life’s lustful joys;/ Death proves
them all but toys;” (Nashe, 2-4)
Can money get us everything? Or does money and power become useless in the presence of
death? How long will it take us to stop getting blind by this materialistic world?
“Rich men, trust not in wealth/ Gold cannot buy you health;”(Nashe, 8-9)
This poem was written during the Black death (Nashe,12), there’s a possibility that the
poet himself was sick while writing this poem.
Thomas refers to Helen and Henry from the Trojan horse war, to emphasize the fact that
even the most powerful people can’t defeat death.
Poem visits three subjects: Death, the importance of time, and the immorality of earthly subjects.
Themes of the poem:
There are six themes which are being dealt with in the poem, namely: joy/happiness,
wealth/money, beauty/helen’s, strength, wit, death., also there is a repetitive couple of lines “I am
sick, I must die/ Lord, have mercy on us!” (Nashe,6-7)

Kai A.M October 2021