If you were to be executed, could you walk to the gallows?

Darragh29

Just watching something on RTE, some film where a lad was being executed by guillotine and walks up the steps no bother and nods at the executioner, a few lads help him into the guillotine and away he goes.

If this was happening you, say it was 120 years ago in Dublin and you were being hung or executed in public for murder or treason or whatever, could you accept your faith and calmly walk up to your place of execution and stay composed until the deed was done or would you be one of those people that needed ten people to drag you kicking and screaming up to the rope???

I think I'd be the latter...

tribulus

I have no idea to be honest.

I remember reading the story and seeing the pictures of a young man who was to be hanged in Iran (I think) for being gay. He was utterly calm and even smiling as he walked up to the rope. He even waved just as they kicked the chair from under him, it's hard to comprehend how he was so calm.

nVid

Moonwalk, bodypopping then robot to power off stance.

zuroph

its the walking back from it I'd have the most trouble with.

phantom_lord

idk, i'd say at that stage you would have resigned to your fate.

dlofnep

tribulus wrote: »

I have no idea to be honest.

I remember reading the story and seeing the pictures of a young man who was to be hanged in Iran (I think) for being gay. He was utterly calm and even smiling as he walked up to the rope. He even waved just as they kicked the chair from under him, it's hard to comprehend how he was so calm.

I saw those pictures before. It almost seemed fake at how calm he was.

Ruu_Old

I would request some theme music. Bit of AC/DC perhaps, that would do the trick.

tribulus

Ruu wrote: »

I would request some theme music. Bit of AC/DC perhaps, that would do the trick.

Hells Bells :pac:

taram

Think if I was guilty I'd probably accept my fate, if innocent I'd be trying to bite/kick/scratch everyone in sight, then try and run off or something

Nehaxak

I suppose the biggest sacrifice you can give for what you believe in, or indeed what you might be proud of (or not as the case may be, maybe you truly believe in the punishment for the crime and that you deserve it?) - is to sacrifice your own life for that belief/cause.
Guess I'd be pretty calm and resigned to the fact myself if it did happen.

It's all been done away with now anyway and the only chance of it ever happening or coming back again was lost when the PD's as a party died away...Oh yes I did just say that...

Darragh29

Ruu wrote: »

I would request some theme music. Bit of AC/DC perhaps, that would do the trick.

Wooaa, we're half way there... When your half way up the steps to the gallows! :D:D

javaboy

Ruu wrote: »

I would request some theme music. Bit of AC/DC perhaps, that would do the trick.

A bit of INXS might be more appropriate.

tallus

The guy in Iran was probably drugged before they hung him.
Can't see myself walking calmly but who knows what would happen ...
Apparently you crap and piss yourself when you're hung (Source : I heard it on Xbox Live so it must be true )

c - 13

I suppose it would depend.

If it was for something like treason as the op mentions in his first post but I believed strongly in whatever reasons I had for committing the treason in the first place then i'd like to think that I would be giving my life for something I strongly believed in so I'd hopefully keep a brave face on and walk it.

If it was for something stupid or I wasn't guilty, say practicing "witchcraft" in the middle ages or if I was framed then they'd probably have to drag my ass up there.

antodeco

Bit of New kids on the Block 'Hangin' tough'. Then as they bury you, Jamiroquai (hate the fuknut though) 'Deeper Underground'.

Overheal

I could go anywhere if it was done by riding on the back of a naked supermodel. I'd take that over a last meal any day.

Mr. CooL ICE

Overheal wrote: »

I could go anywhere if it was done by riding on the back of a naked supermodel. I'd take that over a last meal any day.

On her back???


@ c-13: +1

anti-venom

It's too hard to say. Maybe after years of waiting on deathrow, not knowing exactly when, you might be relieved to get it done. I read the autobiography of John Ellis - one of Britain's most prolific executioners - he even strung up one woman while she was unconscious and strapped into a chair. He also said he hanged a few people he fully believed were innocent but, as he said himself, their guilt or innocence wasn't his call to make; he just had to hang them quickly and cleanly.

Dragan

tribulus wrote: »

I have no idea to be honest.

I remember reading the story and seeing the pictures of a young man who was to be hanged in Iran (I think) for being gay. He was utterly calm and even smiling as he walked up to the rope. He even waved just as they kicked the chair from under him, it's hard to comprehend how he was so calm.

Because fear and worry only come from an availability of options and chance and happenstance. "Will something happen?" "Will some one save me."

When the future is an absolute, when you have no choices are avenues....I don't know....maybe you don't worry and just accept it?

I'd ask for a jiggy back.

Smart Bug

If you carry the courage of your convictions it should follow you'd have the fortitude to walk calmy to your demise.

Or if you're completely batsh*t, i.e. a serial killer or sumtin.

Irishcrx

I'd grab any weapon I could and kill as many of the guards bringing me as I could I think them killing me in the process would be better than being hung..

Trojan911

anti-venom wrote: »

It's too hard to say. Maybe after years of waiting on deathrow, not knowing exactly when, you might be relieved to get it done.

In the days of John Ellis 1901-1924 most people died within a couple of months from the date of conviction. From memory Ruth Ellis (no relation) was hanged 93 days after the offence by Albert Pierrepoint .

anti-venom wrote: »

I read the autobiography of John Ellis - one of Britain's most prolific executioners - he even strung up one woman while she was unconscious and strapped into a chair. He also said he hanged a few people he fully believed were innocent but, as he said himself, their guilt or innocence wasn't his call to make; he just had to hang them quickly and cleanly.

I read the book "Diary of a hangman" which were extracts from his diaries. Sadly it took its toll on him & he ended up comitting suicide himself by cutting his throat. He apparently never recovered from hanging Edith Thompson. I would have thought if he of all people was going to top himself he would have hung himself, being an expert in that field.

But in answer to the OP's question....... Hopefully take it like a man.....

anti-venom

Trojan911 wrote: »

In the days of John Ellis 1901-1924 most people died within a couple of months from the date of conviction. From memory Ruth Ellis (no relation) was hanged 93 days after the offence by Albert Pierrepoint .




I read the book "Diary of a hangman" which were extracts from his diaries. Sadly it took its toll on him & he ended up comitting suicide himself by cutting his throat. He apparently never recovered from hanging Edith Thompson. I would have thought if he of all people was going to top himself he would have hung himself, being an expert in that field.

But in answer to the OP's question....... Hopefully take it like a man.....

Ellis never actually expressed any remorse in his diaries for hanging anyone. He seems to have wanted to portray a professional and detached attitude towards his trade, however, it must have take quite a toll on his emotional health; something he didn't even begin to touch on in his autobiography. He did try to kill his wife and family before his suicide so obviously he had become deranged. You're right, it is curious that he didn't hang himself.

Trojan911

anti-venom wrote: »

Ellis never actually expressed any remorse in his diaries for hanging anyone. He seems to have wanted to portray a professional and detached attitude towards his trade, however, it must have take quite a toll on his emotional health; something he didn't even begin to touch on in his autobiography. He did try to kill his wife and family before his suicide so obviously he had become deranged. You're right, it is curious that he didn't hang himself.

Spot on & the book was a great read to the insight of an Executioner.....

Sorry OP for going off topic.....

Hail 2 Da Chimp

Kicking and screaming... I came into this world that way and I plan to leave it that way too.

Darragh29

anti-venom wrote: »

Ellis never actually expressed any remorse in his diaries for hanging anyone. He seems to have wanted to portray a professional and detached attitude towards his trade, however, it must have take quite a toll on his emotional health; something he didn't even begin to touch on in his autobiography. He did try to kill his wife and family before his suicide so obviously he had become deranged. You're right, it is curious that he didn't hang himself.

Maybe he feared a decapitation if he made a balls of it!

AckwelFoley

When my executation date arrives i will go to the gallows walking calmly throwing up LA gang signs, grabbing my crotch screaming fcuk the world.

I need to hold onto my dignity at least.

Jigsaw

Ever seen Braveheart?

Well just like that.

The_Minister

If there was no escape, then I would go in as dignified a manner as possible.

I'd even ask them to tie my legs together once I was up there, and had given my speach.

arybvtcw0eolkf

snyper wrote: »

When my executation date arrives i will go to the gallows walking calmly throwing up LA gang signs, grabbing my crotch screaming fcuk the world.

I need to hold onto my dignity at least.

Thats not gonna work with a culchie accent.

AckwelFoley

I dont have a culchie accent you inner city ghetto fiend.

Jumpy

Jigsaw wrote: »

Ever seen Braveheart?

Well just like that.

Except it would be more like


FREEEDGHRKH

púca-mór

tallus wrote: »

Can't see myself walking calmly but who knows what would happen ...
Apparently you crap and piss yourself when you're hung (Source : I heard it on Xbox Live so it must be true )

In reality i think i'd do that before i was hung.

Ya'd like to think you'd be all composed, and could make an empassioned speech which would stir the crowd and make them feel bad about my death, and then lead to the downfall of the tyrannical system that had killed me... in reality though i would probably sob out some pathetic whine which nobody could hear then lose control of my bodily functions, collapsing on the gallows in a pool of my own waste. People would react to this with disgust and actively support the tyrannical damn good regime which put me to death.

Soby

taram wrote: »

Think if I was guilty I'd probably accept my fate, if innocent I'd be trying to bite/kick/scratch everyone in sight, then try and run off or something

sure why not..whats the worst they do to ya for fighting back...other than (god forbid) they decide to kill ya

tony1kenobi

The_Minister wrote: »

If there was no escape, then I would go in as dignified a manner as possible.

I'd even ask them to tie my legs together once I was up there, and had given my speach.

I was grand till you said I had to give a speech. Like I haven't enough to think about with having my head lobbed off and trying not to soil myself......

Wibbs

If it was the guillotine, then I would not be a happy camper as one dr in a weird experiment back in the 1890's I believe found that the bodyless head appeared to be conscious for several seconds if not longer. Oh yep here it is... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine#Living_heads That would be a very very long several seconds to the condemned. Under moments of high stress the mind stretches time. Shudder doesn't begin to describe it.

In the case of hanging, then I'd be happier, but only if it was the proper long drop method. In that case it's like decapitation but the shock of the drop is likely to cause deep coma then rapid brain death. IMHO it's the most humane way of execution. The oul lift them up from the ground a la the mad mullahs in Iran is not a pleasant way to go at all, unless you're very lucky and you conk out fast from shock(same with old style kick away a box from under the victim).

Indie18

oh kicking and screaming please............. the when asked if i had any last words i would reply. yeah yor ma.

mountainyman

Darragh29 wrote: »

Just watching something on RTE, some film where a lad was being executed by guillotine and walks up the steps no bother and nods at the executioner, a few lads help him into the guillotine and away he goes.

If this was happening you, say it was 120 years ago in Dublin and you were being hung or executed in public for murder or treason or whatever, could you accept your faith and calmly walk up to your place of execution and stay composed until the deed was done or would you be one of those people that needed ten people to drag you kicking and screaming up to the rope???

I think I'd be the latter...

If I was being hanged for releasing a spoken word record of my extreme right wing political beliefs i could definitely walk up to the gallows.

(ws actually going to say 'for ireland' but that's so old fashioned)

Hail 2 Da Chimp

Wibbs wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine#Living_heads

Have heard about that before... Very creepy stuff!

Smart Bug

Reckon I'd be tempted to start singing

"Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
I think I see my friends comin
Ridin a many mile
Friends, did you get a little silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, dear friends
To keep me from the Gallows Pole?"

Aodan83

If i felt i deserved the death penalty (which is unlikely), I'd like to think I'd be all calm. If not, I'd be doin my damnedest to take as many of the b*stards as i could with me.

ScumLord

Kicking and screaming, crying, I'd put a pox on all their houses, I'd bite anyone involved if possible, I'd curse every fupper in the room, find God, make deals with the devil and mess myself if all else failed.

púca-mór

ScumLord wrote: »

Kicking and screaming, crying, I'd put a pox on all their houses

Good call... nothing like spitting vehement curses!
So vehement you spit out the curse on their heads and a little bit of bile too...:o

thefinalstage

Kicking ans screaming all the way. I get to tell people what I think of them before I die and have a right old laugh doing it. Plus everyone releases their bowels when they die, no amount of dignity before hand will prevent that.

Indie18

thelastangryman wrote: »

Kicking ans screaming all the way. I get to tell people what I think of them before I die and have a right old laugh doing it. Plus everyone releases their bowels when they die, no amount of dignity before hand will prevent that.

best thing to do then seeing as you dignity is doomed anyway is to request to be executed in the nude so sombody has a good auld mess to clean up after your gone.

Dinter

Sure it's fine. Just remember to ask for the more popular vowels first like A or E and once you've filled in a couple of blanks try the more difficult consonants. There's probably an S in there too and V is more popular than you'd think.

Don't worry though you get plenty of chances before the rope goes over your head and when you get it right you get freed by the executioner, 5 guineas from the warden and an hour with the Governor's daughter. Piece of cake really.