Woe Plague Be Upon Ye: Origin and Evolution
“Woe plague be upon ye” is a viral meme that gained popularity in mid-2020. It features a photoshopped image of rapper Eminem appearing to throw a fat white rat, with the phrase “woe, plague be upon ye” superimposed on the image. This meme format originated from a specific photoshoot of Eminem promoting his 2010 album “Recovery,” which internet users have repurposed in various humorous contexts over the years.
Origin of the Meme
The exact image that sparked this meme shows Eminem in a dynamic pose as if he’s throwing something. Initially, users began photoshopping different objects into his hand. In early August 2020, the image of Eminem throwing a fat rat emerged, with the added caption “woe, plague be upon ye.” This combination struck a chord with internet users, leading to widespread sharing and remixing across various social media platforms.
Spread and Popularity
After its initial post on a Facebook page called “Rappers In Peculiar Places,” the meme rapidly gained traction. It was reposted on Instagram, Reddit, and Tumblr, each time accumulating thousands of likes, shares, and comments. For instance, a post by Instagram user owen_kung garnered over 3,500 likes within five months.
By late October 2020, the meme had reached a broader audience, spurred by derivative works. Memes incorporating elements from popular video games like “Halo” and “Half-Life” further propelled its popularity. Instagram users @plasmicals and @woomy_2 created notable variations that received thousands of likes, helping to solidify the meme’s place in internet culture.
Variations and Redraws
The “woe plague be upon ye” meme has inspired numerous variations, often involving different characters or themes while maintaining the core format of Eminem throwing an object with the ominous caption. These redraws span various genres, from video games to anime, showcasing the meme’s versatility and broad appeal. For example, a Pokémon version and a Team Fortress 2 iteration gained significant attention on platforms like Tumblr and Memedroid.
Related Memes and Cultural Impact
The “woe plague be upon ye” meme is part of a larger family of memes involving Eminem. Eminem’s notable photoshoot inspired the “Eminem Throwing Things” series. Users created the “Fat Rat Being Grabbed” meme, featuring a similar image of a large white rat, and used it in various humorous contexts since 2019.
These memes showcase the remix culture online. Users constantly repurpose media to create new expressions. The “woe plague be upon ye” meme captures collective imagination. Its simple imagery and text exemplify this creative trend. Online communities thrive on such single creative ideas.
The “woe plague be upon ye” meme is a testament to the creativity and adaptability of internet culture. From its origins in a photoshoot of Eminem to its widespread adoption, this meme highlights how humor and artistic expression thrive in digital spaces. Whether you’re a meme enthusiast or just curious about internet trends, the story of “woe plague be upon ye” offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of viral content creation.
For more information of this meme, you can visit sites like Know Your Meme and Memedroid.
