What Are The Advantages Of To An Athlete Dying Young

The speaker addresses three advantages to dying young in To an Athlete Dying Young, by A. E. Houseman, these are an athlete’s glory fading, records broken, and being forgotten. After the athlete’s death, the speaker states that the athlete was right to leave “fields where glory does not stay” (10). Moreover, the speaker implies that the athlete is lucky because he will never live to see the glory of his achievements fade away. Similarly, following the athlete’s burial the speaker states that the athlete “Cannot see the record cut” (14). Furthermore, the speaker implies that an early death is to the athlete’s advantage because he will never see his records and achievements beaten by another athlete. Lastly, the speaker states that the athlete

will not suffer the same fate as “Runners whom renown outran / And the name died before the man” (19-20). Thus, the speaker implies that the athlete has the advantage of not living to witness the glory of his name fade out and join the multitude of forgotten athletes before him.Therefore, the speaker discusses three advantages to an athlete who dies young in To an Athlete Dying Young by A. E. Houseman.