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To end itself by death: suicide in Shakespeare's tragedies
1Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|July 22, 1999
Summary
Shakespeare
Area of Science:
- Literary analysis of historical suicide themes.
- Exploration of early modern attitudes toward suicide.
Background:
- Shakespeare's tragedies frequently depict suicide, both completed and contemplated.
- These dramatic portrayals anticipated modern discussions on assisted suicide, copycat suicides, and suicidal ideation.
Discussion:
- Societal, religious, legal, and medical attitudes toward suicide have evolved.
- Understanding historical context is crucial for analyzing suicide's role.
- Shakespeare's works reflect attitudes toward suicide around 1600.
Key Insights:
- Shakespeare's 15 tragedies feature 21 suicide incidents (13 definite, 8 possible).
- At least 7 overt suicides were portrayed as admirable within their context.
- Four suicides were assisted, and three others showed imitative elements.
Outlook:
- Suicide is presented neutrally or favorably in Shakespearean tragedies.
- Audiences often experience pity and admiration, not reproach, for characters who die by suicide.
- The enduring themes in Shakespeare highlight the historical depth of suicide discourse.
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