Member-only story

Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings, and Broken Hearts

Dawson Reed

·6k Followers· Follow

Published in Death By Shakespeare: Snakebites Stabbings And Broken Hearts

4 min read · 1 week before

1.7k View Claps

93 Respond

Save

Listen

William Shakespeare is known for his tragic plays, in which characters often meet untimely and gruesome deaths. From snakebites to stabbings to broken hearts, no one is safe in the Bard's plays. In this article, we will explore the various causes of death in Shakespeare's works and what they reveal about the human condition.

Death By Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts

by Kathryn Harkup

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4076 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	334 pages

Snakebites

Snakebites are a relatively rare cause of death in Shakespeare's plays, but they are often used to symbolize betrayal or treachery. In Antony and Cleopatra, Cleopatra is bitten by an asp, which she has hidden in a basket of figs. The asp's bite is fatal, and Cleopatra dies in Antony's arms. This scene is often interpreted as a symbol of Cleopatra's betrayal of Antony, as well as her own self-destructive nature.

In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is bitten by a poisonous snake that he has found in Friar Laurence's cell. The snakebite is fatal, and Romeo dies in Juliet's arms. This scene is often interpreted as a symbol of the tragic love between Romeo and Juliet, as well as the dangers of forbidden love.

Stabbings

Stabbings are a more common cause of death in Shakespeare's plays. In Julius Caesar, Caesar is stabbed to death by a group of conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius. This scene is often interpreted as a symbol of the dangers of ambition and the fragility of power.

In Hamlet, Hamlet is stabbed to death by Laertes, who has been poisoned by Claudius. This scene is often interpreted as a symbol of the tragic consequences of revenge.

Broken Hearts

Broken hearts are a surprisingly common cause of death in Shakespeare's plays. In King Lear, Lear dies of a broken heart after he has been betrayed by his daughters. This scene is often interpreted as a symbol of the tragic consequences of pride and ambition.

In Othello, Desdemona dies of a broken heart after she has been falsely accused of infidelity by Othello. This scene is often interpreted as a symbol of the tragic consequences of jealousy and suspicion.

Death is a constant presence in Shakespeare's plays. Through his characters' deaths, Shakespeare explores the various ways in which we can die, both physically and emotionally. These deaths reveal the fragility of life, the dangers of ambition, the power of love, and the tragic consequences of our own actions.

Death By Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts

by Kathryn Harkup

4.6 out of 5