Iesha Clark Cause and Effect October 19, 2011 English 111 TD6

William Shakespeare and the Bubonic Plague

The Bubonic Plague also known as the Black Death caused terrible and major consequence on William Shakespeares life. The Bubonic Plague terrified William Shakespeare. Williams entire family suffered from the Black Death. He lost his brother Edmund age 27, Sister Joan and Margaret just babies, and Anne age 7. William lost his son Hamnet who was eleven years old to the Bubonic Plague. After Shakespeares death more of his family started to fall from the horrible disease. Williams grandson Quiney died at age six months on May 1617. His brothers Richard and Thomas Quiney age nineteen and twenty also died from the plague. There are an unknown number of friends, family and actors that died for the Black Death. During Shakespeares time/era the London streets were contaminated with the disease. The waste was dumped in the River Thames because London did not have a sewage system. The Black Death disease was from the rodents, and animals, especially the rats. People or the infected animals always spread to disease (Bubonic Plague) around. Some of the symptoms for the plague are painful swelling in the armpits, legs, and neck. Delirium and mental disorientation, bleeding in the lungs, and intense desire to sleep, which has been quickly fatal. A song name Ring around the Rosy a nursery rhyme was believed to hold its origins in the Bubonic Plague. Wise women and churches helped the people that were infected with the plague. Barbers also helped and sometimes took the place of surgeons. A place call The

Apothecary gave out drugs to the sick. The wealthy people were the only one that got the proper treatment for an Elizabeth Physician. The physician dressed in outlandish clothing to protect himself for the awful disease that plagued the people he treated. Each symptom had its own treatment. Like for head pains there were herbs, roses, or lavender. Lung problems there were liquorice and comfrey. Also leeches were a general cure for some. Vinegar was given to people for a cleansing agent. When the Bubonic Plague hit very few people survived. Shakespeare was living among the dead. William lived under a Cloud of Death. The number of out breaks was terrifying.

Works Cited Bubonic Plague and Shakespeare. Web. 19 October 2011.