The body count in Unforgiven is high. Eight people die in this film, and Will Munny is responsible for six of these bodies. And, in addition to these literal deaths, there are some figurative deaths (the death of the Kid's innocence, Will's death by illness and resurrection).
Unforgiven, however, isn't just a film that shows us death, but also how agonizing and pitiful it can be. It also gives us some insight into how people fear death—Will Munny has nightmares about the Angel of Death, and Little Bill is baffled by his own murder (he's building a house! he doesn't deserve this!) even as he's bleeding out.
Questions about Death
- We know Will is afraid of death, but how does Ned feel about it?
- How do you feel about Quick Mike's and Davey's deaths? Do they deserve it? Does it happen under the wrong circumstances?
- Why is it significant that Will's wife is already dead when the film begins, and that he visits her grave several times?
- How do you interpret Will's near death experience at the hands of Little Bill and fever? What symbolic purpose does it serve?
Chew on This
Death is an inevitable fact of life. "We all got it coming," as Will says at one point, with apparently no discernible emotion.
To fear death is to be human, and even the worst characters (Will and Bill) are afraid of death. This proves their innate humanity.