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Abstract

The sociological study of suicide is founded upon the critical observations of Emile Durkheim. Although Durkheim's data sources and many of his conclusions regarding the etiology of suicide have come under increasing attack in recent years, social theorists concerned with the phenomenon have been unable to dispense with his insights. The present study applies Durkheimian theory to a “hypothetical population” drawn from the Shakespearean dramatic literature. A new methodology is applied in an attempt to determine the orientation to the suicide act held by each Shakespearean suicide. Conclusions are drawn which, while they do not invalidate Durkheimian assumptions regarding the “causes” of suicide, do tend to restrict his typology to two categories.

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Durkheimian Suicides in Shakespeare

Abstract

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References