A few days ago
I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds?
The first explosion of the atom bomb was summed up with these words from a Hindu poem.
I can’t understand what the phrase “I am become” means. I will become? I am becoming? Or what?
Top 4 Answers
A few days ago
Favorite Answer
In this particular case ” am ” is a modal verb , it is often used instead of ” have ”. For. ex. I am ( to ) read…., He is ( to) play……, We are ( to) tell …….., etc…..
As it is a poem particle ” to ” is omitted.
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A few days ago
I think it’s a literal translation from the Hindu language. The closest English equivalent would be “I have become Death, the destroyer of worlds…”
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A few days ago
It’s an emphatic and somewhat archaic way of saying “I have become.” Think of combining “I am Death” with “I have become Death.”
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A few days ago
“I am become” means the same as “I have become.” Not sure if it’s just an archaic (old-fashioned) usage, or poetic language, but that’s what it means.
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