why have a lot of poets killed themselves?

Answer 1

Self-involved, introspective, drug addicted, alcoholics often do regardless of wether they write poetry or not.....

Answer 2

A lot of people kill themselves. I do not know if the percentage is higher under poets. Do you ?
If so a possible reason could be that poets are mostly sensitive people for whom it is somewhat more difficult to live with the brutality of every day life than for average people.

Answer 3

All poets are mad," asserted English writer Robert Burton in his 1621 book, The Anatomy of Melancholy. Burton was exaggerating, of course. However, many people do believe that artists are more likely than others to be mentally ill. Many well-known artists, writers and musicians had a history of mental illness, in some cases leading to suicide. Writers Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway, painter Vincent van Gogh, and musician Kurt Cobain all committed suicide.

Painters Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe, and musicians Cole Porter and Charles Mingus suffered from depression. There are even more today. Some people believe there is a link to the artistic creatvitiy and mental illness - or at least a level of depression or mood disorders. (prolonged deep dispair) People who drink or do drugs often fit into this category because on one hand they have alternating periods of euphoria and all is right with the world, but when they face the downside, they are filled with dispair and become manic depressive. Unfortunately, suicide often creeps into their minds - they feel they are no good to the world, their families or themselves. I teach at an Arts Middle school and I see these swings on a daily basis. Many students cut themselves, cry uncontrollably, are often angry and irrational and many are medicated. I don't know if we understand it all, but you do have to be careful - with so much going on in the world today, it is difficult to stay balanced, focused and loving enough to function and live.

Answer 4

a international conflict I soldier in Britain grew to become a extremely extensive-unfold poet. His call became Siegfried Sassoon. In November 1985, a slate memorial became unveiled in Poet's corner commemorating 1167991c5a88faf6fb5e687eb1b2dc poets of the super conflict: Richard Aldington, Laurence Binyon, Edmund Blunden, Rupert Brooke, Wilfrid Gibson, Robert Graves, Julian Grenfell, Ivor Gurney, David Jones, Robert Nichols, Wilfred Owen, Herbert examine, Isaac Rosenberg, Siegfried Sassoon, Charles Sorley and Edward Thomas. [6]

Answer 5

i think you mean a lot of FAMOUS poets. poets in general are not suicidal people... just good writers that are in touch with their feelings.

have you read the works of the poets that have killed themselves? they were very depressed people who did not see much joy in life. they killed themselves because they saw no reason to continue. and if you notice, they rarely become famous until after death so even if they are famous now they most likely died in obscurity.

i dont condone suicide. its wrong and against my beliefs but you asked why.

plus... i really dont think that many poets killed themselves... some have im sure... but a lot of non-poets have also. Edgar Allen Poe, one of the most depressing poets out there, didnt kill himself, he died of either alcoholism or some disease... no one is sure... but it wasnt technically suicide.

plus... i write poetry and i would never kill myself.

Answer 6

Well, most REALLY smart people are isolated and don't talk to many people. So, they conquer their depression by drinking, but it only makes it worse. You know...after they become addicted to wine etc.,it's the only thing they have. They rely too much on alcohol and have hallucinations and strange thoughts (ever wonder why they have so depressing poems?) Then they start living in their own depressing poems, basing the main character as themselves, and when the character dies...y'know...they see themselves dying and totally go with it...
=D

Answer 7

Poet (and artists) are very emotional and if they are in a strong enough mood they will commit suicide or maim themselves.

Or they are just insane people. Some poets actually ARE.

Answer 8

Depression!

Answer 9

Poets have so many thoughts in their heads that it overwhelms them and they eventually can't tell fiction from reality. They go crazy.

Answer 10

A great many creative people suffered from depression. Often, the depression won. C.

Answer 11

Because they weren't successful and they became clinically depressed in a time when Prozac hadn't been invented yet.