To+end+itself+by+death,+suicide+in+Shakespeare's+tragedies

Kirkland, L R. "To End Itself by Death: Suicide in Shakespeare's Tragedies." Southern Medical Journal, vol. 92, no. 7, July 1999, pp. 660-666. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.gsu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=10414473&site=eds-live.

The tragedies of William Shakespeare make frequent use of suicide, some accomplished, and some merely contemplated. In his literature, different types of suicide are portrayed. Many of the characters in his literature committed suicide with the possession of poison, a dagger or knife, hot coals of by the action of drowning. For example, Romeo, Juliet, Cassius and etc. Although some resulted from a misunderstanding, many of the suicides described were illustrated as necessary and honorable. The author states that anyone who is physically able to commit suicide, the choice may be between the pain and the violence of one’s self. He also mentions that anyone who is willing to commit suicide is suffering with clinical depression and despair. The act of committing suicide is not always caused by mental disorders, suicide may occur in non-mentally disordered individuals. The view of human emotion and actions portrayed in his Shakespeare’s works inspire wonderment.

This source interested me because William Shakespeare is a significant poet. His literature describes real life situations. Suicide is a real life condition that many are facing. In most of his works, he talks about suicide and describes many different ways suicide can be brought about.