Death in a pestilence: Grief and bereavement in Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet

زكي, نهال احمد عادل

doi:10.21608/sjam.2023.215146.2017

Death in a pestilence: Grief and bereavement in Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet

نوع المستند : المقالة الأصلية

المؤلف

نهال احمد عادل زكي

كلية الألسن جامعة المنيا

10.21608/sjam.2023.215146.2017

المستخلص

This paper explores the portrayal of grief and bereavement in Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet (2020), a novel recounting the loss of William Shakespeare's child during a bubonic plague outbreak in 16th century England. Drawing on Matthew Ratcliffe's contemporary theory of grief, the study employs a phenomenological approach to explore the subjective dimensions of the family grieving process. By analyzing the characters' thoughts, emotions, and actions, the paper unveils the multidimensional nature of grief, extending beyond its conventional understanding as a purely emotional reaction. By delving into the characters' subjective experiences, the study investigates their individual perceptions of grief, as well as the profound influence of grief on their identity, self-conceptualization and worldview. Additionally, it examines their coping mechanisms to navigate the intricate terrain of grief and ultimately come to terms with the irrevocable finality of death. The study, further, scrutinizes the narrative techniques employed by O'Farrell, shedding light on how her artistic choices effectively immerse the reader in an evocative exploration of the phenomenology of grief. Ultimately, through the exploration of the characters' grief journey, this paper provides a nuanced understanding of the nature of the universal experience of loss as well as individuals' coping mechanisms in the face of overwhelming tragedy.

الكلمات الرئيسية