SDRP Investigative Findings:
1 IF – The reason why modernity has no contemporaneous account of Shakespeare’s death is because none were written. (The Problem)
2 IF – The merry meeting, as best can be determined, never took place and therefore, corollary to that, Shakespeare’s death was likely not attributable to a fever resulting from drinking too hard. As such, it’s likely the merry meeting wasn’t so. (Merry Meeting)
3 IF – Shakespeare’s January 1616 will was likely started in contemplation of Judith’s marriage, not because he was sick. (Alleged Illness)
4 IF – Based on Bevan’s research, the ‘shaky’ signature on Shakespeare’s 1616 will – which formed the foundation for the illness theory – was likely signed in 1613, three years before Shakespeare’s death. (Alleged Illness)
5 IF – Shakespeare’s life was far from stress-free as of February-March 1616. This includes the outrageous fortune and shock of having Judith’s, his family’s and his reputation being irrevocably tarnished in the Quiney scandal. (Alleged Illness)
6 IF – While it is possible illness might have prompted Shakespeare to start updating his will in 1616, this is far from certain. (Alleged Illness)
7 IF – A heretofore unresearched, different reason might have prompted Shakespeare to make those few last minute changes to his will and therefore, corollary to that, this unknown reason might have caused or been a factor in Shakespeare’s death. (Alleged Illness)
8 IF – Deaths, causes thereof and funerals in 17th century England were widely recorded contemporaneously therewith for commoners and persons of stature alike; not for Shakespeare. (Death in 17th Century England)
9 IF – The first published comments extant in the historical record commenting on Shakespeare’s death appear as memorial elegies in 1623’s Folio; thus far, they provide no clues as to Shakespeare’s cause of death. (The Folio)
10 IF – A family in 17th century England would try to ensure nobody knew the truth if a family member committed suicide. They would stay silent or lie about the true cause of death because if word got out a coroner’s inquest might ensue. (Silence-Inducing Death)
11 IF – If a coroner’s inquest couldn’t be avoided, family and friends did everything in their power to persuade the jury to rule the death was not a suicide or, if it was ruled self-murder, make a finding of non compos mentis. (Silence-Inducing Death)
12 IF – A finding of felo de se against the deceased was financially ruinous for the family; a well-to-do family could be reduced to poverty in an instant. (Silence-Inducing Death)
13 IF – Suicides were denied varying degrees of Christian mourning, funeral and burial rites; Shakespeare called these lesser suicide-death rites maimed rites. Sometimes, depending on varying circumstances, the harshest of the penalties could be attenuated, including ‘arranging’ burials on church property. (Silence-Inducing Death)
14 IF – Leonard Digges is the only elegist in 1623’s Folio to name any of Shakespeare’s characters – Juliet and her Romeo; he alluded to others. (A New Look)
15 IF – Using a subsequent 1640 elegy as aid, the other characters Digges alluded to in 1623 were Brutus and Cassius. Out of the hundreds of characters Digges could have picked he picked four suicides. (A New Look)
16 IF – Digges, in 1623, referred to these characters who committed suicide – and only suicides – on purpose and for a specific reason; it is not coincidence. (A New Look)
17 IF – Given how Digges refers to the Juliet, Romeo, Brutus and Cassius scenes – including mentioning, oddly, the suicide weapon for two of them and referring to the deaths of Brutus and Cassius and not just their characters – and understanding how and why he uses the word ‘nobly’ Digges is straight-on referring to, and defending, suicide. In his 1623 Folio elegy memorializing Shakespeare. Whose death was blanketed in silence. (A New Look)
18 IF – John Hall and Thomas Greene – Stratford residents at the time of Shakespeare’s death and both intimately close to Shakespeare and both known for their diarizing and note-keeping – interestingly, made no note of Shakespeare’s death. Maybe there was a practical reason, contrary to their known personal characteristics, for not recording it. (John Hall and Thomas Greene)
19 IF – Shakespeare knew what date he was born and, unless he was in a coma or otherwise in a state of delirium, also knew his death date. (Idemjour)
20 IF – Should someone want to commit suicide on their birthday and/or make use of a medically-assisted suicide by way of a soporific permanent sleeping potion knowing a discreet, say-nothing medical doctor would be handy. (Idemjour)
21 IF – It is unknown if Shakespeare received a funeral; if one took place it was likely quick, small, had few attendees and was void of any pomp or self-importance. (HTC)
22 IF – Shakespeare wanted an unmarked grave. (HTC)
23 IF – Shakespeare did not compose the ‘curse’ now etched on his grave-marker. (HTC)
24 IF – Shakespeare didn’t care where he was buried and did not arrange his place of burial prior to his death and it was probably Shakespeare’s family that likely arranged for his burial. (HTC)
25 IF – Shakespeare likely cared not about honour after death and probably wanted nothing to do with his funerary objects; there is no evidence available showing Shakespeare planned his funerary objects and, without more, his family and friends likely arranged everything modernity sees today. (HTC)
26 IF – When the entirety of Shakespeare’s funerary objects and death arrangements – or lack thereof – are viewed together, side by side and simultaneously the quirks, oddities and silence thereof also speak of an irregular death under irregular circumstances possibly resulting in irregular/maimed Christian death rites. (HTC)
27 IF – Personally, Shakespeare held a positive view of suicide. (SSS)
28 IF – Shakespeare thought suicide noble. He saw suicide as a justifiable end if a person was beset with outrageous fortune or a sea of troubles such as a shattered heart, loss of a child or loss of reputation. Taking one’s own life ensured the suicide would retain their honour after death or reclaim lost honour. (SSS)
29 IF – Shakespeare wanted to change how society, the church and the state viewed suicide. (SSS)
30 IF – Various prevailing 17th century views Shakespeare wanted to change include: suicides shouldn’t be viewed as sinful or criminal; suicides were not dominated by the mad, mentally unwell or people possessed by the devil; rational people could determine suicide best fit their circumstances; normal people with normal emotions committed suicide. (SSS)
31 IF – Suicides shouldn’t be denied mourning, funerals or a proper burial. (SSS)
32 IF – Shakespeare thought suicides deserved understanding and sympathy; not derision, shame or condemnation. (SSS)
SDRP