Journal Mobile

Author(s): 
E Jeffrey, D Jeffrey
Journal Issue: 
Volume 39: Issue 1: 2009

Format

Abstract

 

King Lear is not limited to a single ethical dilemma but is a play about the  suffering  of  mankind. This  paper  investigates  how  elements  of  Shakespeare’s play  might  enrich  our  understanding  of  the  challenges  and  opportunities  of modern end-of-life care. The paper addresses the  following key questions:

How can King Lear inform our understanding of suffering and pain in a clinical context?
What can King Lear teach the professional in terms of communication with a terminally ill patient and their family?
How does Shakespeare illuminate sensitive areas of the discourse on suicide in the elderly?

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