Is Death Just a Way of Life?

Death is a topic that is rarely talked about; however, it is the only thing humans are certain of occurring. As depressing and melancholy death is evoked, it is the reality of life and will ultimately impact us and our loved ones.Throughout the three pieces of literature we have studied, the theme of death has been portrayed on a multiple of occasions. On account of this, the never-ending cycle of death repeatedly surrounds Hamlet and is evident throughout several themes involved. The play embarks on Hamlet experiencing death first hand, by the loss of his father, Old Hamlet. Due to Old Hamlet’s death, Hamlet comes to the decision to kill King Claudius and attain revenge for his father. Moreover, throughout the play, there are a variety of instances of death through suicide, murder, revenge, accidental deaths, etc. In Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet is contemplating whether to commit suicide or not.

Hamlet states, “that this too solid flesh would melt, / Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew! / Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d / His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! O God! O God!” (1.2.129-132).

This is where Hamlet ponders whether suicide is worth it or not. Death is brought up again when he discovers Yorick’s skull in the graveyard scene. It is here Hamlet learns of the finality and inevitability of death while reminiscing of past times with the beloved jester. Hamlet seemingly stares death right in the eyes while holding the skull in his hand, and comes to terms with the commonness of fatality. He recognizes that all people, even the greatest individuals, someday have to pass away.

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In Death of a Salesman, the theme of death is also evident towards the end of the book. Throughout the book, we become well informed of Willy’s continuous philosophy and what he wants in life. We come to the conclusion that all Willy cares about is popularity, success, and wealth. Willy lost his father when he was younger so that explains why Willy acts the way he does. Despite that, we realize that the main issue is how selfish Willy really is. Because he wasn’t able to reach the “American Dream” he wanted, Willy takes his own life. This is due to the selfishness Willy portrays, since he doesn’t get what he wants he thought taking his own life would solve all his issues. Meanwhile, I feel sympathy for Willy’s sons because they lost their father just like Willy lost his. The death in Death of a Salesman and in Hamlet relate because both Hamlet and Biff lost their father. Moreover, the death of Willy and his father a long time ago highlight how death is portrayed in the novel. The ending of the novel isn’t a very happy ending just like Hamlet in which the main characters both die, Hamlet and Willy.

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In Station Eleven, death is one of the main themes we come into terms with when reading the book. In the beginning of the book, we experience the sudden death of Arthur Leander who dies from a heart attack.The characters throughout the novel were significantly affected by this death, and each character such as Kirsten, Clark, Miranda, etc was impacted in a distinct way. Right after this saddening incident, a major tragedy occurs in which 99% of the population dies. Due to the global pandemic flu, death is explored through personal relationships but more specifically on a global scale. The result of the death of Arthur and the billions of deaths from the flu impacted the characters harshly and each character had to get through it in their own way. Lastly, death is shown at the part of the book when Kirsten and her friends walk past decaying bodies. There is death from the flu, but most importantly death still exists all around the people that surround them and the dangers of the new world they live in.