History

Tragic Women of Shakespeare and How They Die

Murder, suicide, accidental death, and execution

“Ophelia” by Sir John Everett Millais, 1852 (public domain)

Shakespeare’s plays are full of compelling female characters, and many of them have happy endings. Let’s look at eight for whom he deemed fate had other things in store.

1. Cleopatra: Antony and Cleopatra, Act V, Scene II

“With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool
Be angry, and dispatch.” — Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra

“The Death of Cleopatra” by Juan Luna, 1881 (public domain)

Most of us have heard of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Shakespearean scholars consider her to be his most complex female character. She’s a powerful leader and a passionate lover, counting Julius Caesar and Mark Antony among her conquests.

In the play, Mark Antony is one of three rulers of the Roman Empire, along with Octavius and Lepidus. While living in Egypt, Antony has a torrid affair with Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra, with whom he allies.

Octavius declares war on Antony and Cleopatra, defeating their armies at the Battle of Actium. Believing Cleopatra to be dead…