Kirk's Eulogy--Spock gave his life why?

[Tim K]

At Spock's funeral, Kirk say "this death takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new world; a world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one...." Every time I see this scene, it moves me. But I also don't understand what Kirk means. Spock gave his life for the Enterprise crew. The Genesis planet did not exist yet, and so how could he have given his life to protect and nourish it. Don't mean to complain or be critical. Was this an early script draft?

Any insights would be welcome. Thanks

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Not so much that he meant to give his life for that world, but rather that he wound up doing so. Perhaps Kirk thinks it's the kind of legacy Spock would appreciate - being able to bring new life to a new planet, adding his own contribution to IDIC.

Or perhaps the new world is not only the impending creation of Genesis, but a world where the crew of the Enterprise live on and Spock is no longer there.

 

[Grant]

Right. It's not literal. "He gave his life for Genesis world to be born." -- is not what he meant. More like Genesis was not born causing the death of his shipmates and has a pure beginning.

 

[shapeshifter]

It doesn't make sense.

Everything Spock did from Kirk telling Scotty they need warp speed in three minutes or they are all dead was to save the Enterprise and crew.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Indeed.

The Reliant was doomed in any case, so the Genesis Planet would have existed no matter what Spock did.

 

[Jeyl]

WE WILL NOT DEBATE HIS PROFOUND WISDOM AT THESE PROCEEDINGS!

*clears throat*

Yeah, I agree. He gave his life for his shipmates, not the Genesis planet. Also, Spock's 'humanity' being his best trait is overrated.

 

[David cgc]

I think it was a metaphor, the important part is the "sunrise" and the "new world" isn't the physical Genesis Planet, but the lives his crewmates are going to get to live since they weren't killed, along the same lines as Kirk saying that he felt young after the funeral.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Kirk's dialog, especially in the films, was with metaphors (colorful and otherwise) and expressions rooted in literature.

"May the wind be at our becks."
"May fortune favor the foolish."
"Our manners weren't exactly Emily Post."

I don't think out of line to assume he was speaking figuratively or poetically.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Kirk was making the best out of the sacrificial death of his best friend and the crew's CO. It plays into the "He's not really dead, as long as we remember him" theme. Right there in front of them is new life, a memorial to Spock's sacrifice. Was it Spock's intention for that to happen? No. Is Kirk going to take advantage of the situation to put the most positive spin on Spock's death at his funeral? Absolutely.