Why do people in Shakespeare plays take 20 years to die?

Question

I mean honestly i'll grow older before people in shakespear die!

Answer 1

*snicker* In a lot of drama, important characters (or not-so-important characters who nonetheless have something important to say) won't die until they've said their piece. It's kind of like being remembered for your final words; since it's the last thing people hear you say before you die, you want it to be memorable and insightful... and quotable, for that matter. Nobody wants to go out like a chump.

It's the same in opera, really -- the old joke goes that somebody gets stabbed in the back by his brother or something, and instead of falling down and dying, he starts to sing. *grin*

Answer 2

Give him a break--you're thinking like somebody from 2006, not 1595. You have a modern sense of how long it takes people to die, because in plays and especially movies now they get shot. Boom--you're dead. If there'd been Glock pistols in the 16th century, people in Shakespeare would have died a lot faster. As it is, when you get stabbed, it takes a bit longer to bleed to death--so you might as well get your last words in before you go....(But I have to admit: Antony in"Antony & Cleopatra goes on WAY too long....) Point being: if a major character had just died instantly, Shakespeare's audience would have thought it was ridiculous--just like now, if somebody got shot about 5 times, we'd think it was ridiculous if they kept talking for 5 minutes...

Answer 3

I consider 'the lips' and desire to characteristic, that yet one extra reason grew to become into rediscovering the different performs. because of fact of this the numerous conspiracy approximately Shakespeare comes from. The play homes of the day weren't continually that sturdy at getting issues saved appropriate. Plus because of fact it fee plenty to print finished scripts, they could be hand written. finished scripts have been saved poorly, torn, and otherwise abused because of fact human beings could examine or reread them that have been in the theatre business corporation. some cases it took a on the same time as to piece an entire script returned jointly.

Answer 4

The Science: It takes a long time to die in most methods used in the 16th and 17th centuries, and The Art: It's so much more dramatic that way.

Answer 5

Shakespear is a really important part of are history. Hw is a very important poet and we dont want ot forget him.

Answer 6

Because that's the best part and they wanted to get as much out of it as possible.

Answer 7

You are right...I am a english lit major and I agree....maybe they were on kryptonite..lol

Answer 8

one word "Dramatic"