SAMOUBISTVO KAO ’SREĆAN KRAJ’ KOD ŠEKSPIRA

Abstract

Relying on a rich critical thought on the motif of suicide in Shakespeare’s opus, the paper re-examines two opposing theories: one that states suicide in Shakespeare is always presented as a dishonorable and immoral act, and the other that claims suicide can be understood as an honorable act that brings peace to characters under certain circumstances. The motif of suicide is connected to Shakespeare’s (ir)religiosity to emphasize that the analysis of this motif in the paper goes beyond religious frameworks and focuses on the dramatic and phil- osophical context to examine suicide as a potential salvation of the soul and a ‘happy ending’ for both the characters and the audience. The paper analyzes examples of implicit and honorable suicide in Shakespeare’s works and shows that contextual and cultural reading supports the hypothesis that suicide can or should be honorable. The discussion also shows that Shakespeare uses this motif to hide his religious beliefs or subtly suggest that doubt is the core of human existence, and that death represents a happy circumstance and relief for certain characters