In Memorandum: Harold Pinter

Noble Laureate Harold Pinter died Christmas Eve after struggling with esophageal cancer. Pinter was the author of "The Birthday Party," "The Homecomming," "Betrayal," "Old Times," and "No Man's Land." Most recently he played Krapp in "Krapp's Last Tape."

Pinter may be one of the most influential modern playwrights. His use of scripted pauses changed the way modern theatre creates character and how playwrights now tell their story.

He was 78.

But I remember how to die
Though all my witnesses are dead.
But I remember what they said
Of tumors which would render them
As blind and dumb as they had been
Before the birth of that disease
Which brought the tumor into play.
The black cells will dry up and die
Or sing with joy and have their way.

They breed so quietly night and day,
You never know, they never say.
-Harold Pinter

Obituaries:
New York Times
National Public Radio