Comparison of the Epitaph of Young Benjamin Franklin with That Written During His Old Age - Assignment Example

Benjamin Franklin did not spare himself from his satires and at the age of 22, in the year 1728 wrote a satirical verse to depict his life which he wished to use as his epitaph after his death. However, very interestingly when Benjamin Franklin breathed his last breath at the age of 84 on 17th April in the year 1790, the version of his epitaph as suggested and mentioned by Franklin himself in his will completely differed from the epitaph which he created and wished to use after his death during his younger days.

The Epitaphs

At the age of 22 moved by his immense love for books and satire, he composed a satirical piece which he wished to serve as an epitaph after his death. The epitaph runs like this:

“The Body of B. Franklin Printer; Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents tore out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believed, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and Amended By the Author” (Library of Congress, “Benjamin Franklin…In His Own Words”).

A close introspection into this verse will lead to the conclusion that by the formative years of Franklin’s life only, he had inculcated a love for books, printing, and binding but he did not have that slightest hint that in the coming years of his life he would achieve the pinnacle of almost every faculty and arena. This is the reason during the last years of his life he changed his version of epitaph and mentioned in his will to be simply bearing the inscription, “Benjamin and Deborah Franklin”. This inscription gives a hint that during the final quarter of his life, Franklin understood that he has achieved everything or more he aspired for. And that he will be known and remembered in the world by his great deeds. Any inscription will fall short in front of his great actions undertaken throughout his life. This is the reason he made it simple and straightforward during the final years of his life when he was approaching his predicament raising far beyond the identity of a mundane printer.

The epitaph that Summarizes Benjamin Franklin’s Greatest Accomplishment

Here lies the body of Benjamin Franklin. A great man of political insight and founder of a great nation called the United States of America. King of satire and bearer of thirteen virtues, he helped to enlighten the world with his knowledge, inquisitions, and power of wisdom.