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A dozen ways to die in Shakespeare’s tragedies [infographic]

In early modern England, social violence and recurring diseases ensured death was a constant presence, so it is only natural to find such a prominent theme in Shakespeare’s plays, especially his tragedies. His characters died at the hands of one another more often than from natural causes, whether stabbing, poisoning, or beheading (or a combination of the three!). But physical brutality is not only source of pain — which is worse: to die of shame, shock, or grief? And so in death, Shakespeare can explore the fragility of human nature and the precarious nature of our mortality.

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Infographic courtesy of Caitlin Griffin and the National Theatre Bookshop. Used with permission.

Featured Image: “Ophelia” by John Everett Millais. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

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  1. Eric John Large

    Thank you for this information.

  2. […] O infográfico na imagem pertence à National Theatre Bookshop. Fonte: Oxford University Press […]

  3. […] The infographic above belongs to the National Theatre Bookshop. Source: Oxford University Press […]

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