William Shakespeare had three children – Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith. Tragically, Hamnet, Shakespeare’s only son, died at the age of 11 due to the plague.
The plague, also known as the Black Death, was a highly contagious and deadly disease that spread throughout Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is believed to have been caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, and was transmitted through the bites of infected fleas.
During the time of the plague, death rates were extremely high, and it is estimated that the disease killed between 75 and 200 million people worldwide. The plague was particularly devastating in England, where it is believed to have killed as much as 60% of the population.
It is not known exactly when or where Hamnet died of the plague, but it is likely that he was infected while living in Stratford-upon-Avon, where the disease was rampant at the time. The death of Hamnet was a major loss for Shakespeare, and it is thought that it may have inspired some of the themes of loss and grief in his plays.
Overall, the plague was a devastating disease that claimed the life of William Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet. The plague was a major disaster in Europe, and its impact is still felt today.
RSC to stage play about plague death of William Shakespeare’s son Hamnet https://t.co/mksA9IEVtC
— The Guardian (@guardian) November 8, 2022
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