Hastie Lanyon's Death

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

The decline and death of Dr. Lanyon, caused by the shock of witnessing the transformation.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
The Meeting with HydeThe Meeting with Hyde
The Meeting with Hyde A Terrifying Visitor Lanyon receives a desperate request from Jekyll and agrees to help. He retrieves a drawer from the cabinet and waits for the messenger. When Hyde arrives, Lanyon feels a profound revulsion. The Transformation Lanyon watches Hyde drink a potion and transform into Jekyll. The sight shatters his rational worldview. He is filled with horror and disgust. The Aftermath Jekyll explains everything, but Lanyon cannot bear it. He feels that his life is shaken to its roots. He writes his account and seals it, knowing he will die.
The Final DaysThe Final Days
The Final Days A Doomed Man Lanyon grows pale and emaciated. He tells Utterson that he has had a shock and will never recover. He regards Jekyll as dead and refuses to speak of him. The Sealed Envelope He gives Utterson a sealed envelope with instructions to open it only after Jekyll's death or disappearance. He dies within a fortnight, his face marked by terror. The Legacy of Horror Lanyon's death is a direct result of the knowledge he gained. He could not live with the truth. His narrative becomes a key piece of evidence for Utterson.
9th January, midnight
after the 9th January, until his death