Shakespearean mortality : exploring the depths of death in Macbeth and Hamlet

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to analyse multiple different aspects of death in literature to come to a clear conclusion on what elements are required in order for the inclusion of a death to be meaningful. The analysis of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth allows for the examination of the way that Shakespeare implements death in a manner that is significant to the narrative and audience, with some instances also serving as examples of poorly implemented death. In Hamlet, death is often included to highlight the tragedy in Hamlet’s life as he struggles with his own feelings of grief while succumbing to his major flaw of obsession. Throughout this play, Shakespeare presents death in the form of murder, accidental death and even an instance of ambiguous death that leaves audiences speculating on whether it was accidental or a suicide. All the while, Shakespeare uses the consequences and emotional impact of these deaths to further the narrative and emphasise the tragedy involved in the story of the Danish prince. Similarly, Shakespeare presents death in Macbeth in a way that highlights Macbeth’s fall from grace and descent into madness. This allows for the analysis of many instances of death as murder, and even provides an opportunity to analyse how the audience’s perception of a character can change if he is shown to commit heavily immoral acts such as killing other characters. Through the analysis of these plays, this dissertation will argue that certain elements of death in literature are necessary when attempting to include it in a cohesive narrative in a significant manner while also evoking the intended emotional response from audiences. Additionally, the aforementioned poorly implemented instances of death will also be utilised in order to argue against the elements involved in them that have negative effects on the audience’s experience.