How do the tavern knave and the publican personify death?

The tavern knave and the publican both personify death through their roles as figures who engage with the inevitability of mortality in everyday life. The tavern knave, often depicted as carefree and indulging in life's pleasures, reflects the notion of seizing the moment before death arrives. In contrast, the publican represents the more solemn and transactional aspect of mortality, reminding patrons of their fleeting existence through the exchange of goods for life’s ephemeral joys. Together, they embody the duality of life and death, illustrating how human interactions with both can shape our understanding of existence.