Arranged marriages

In today’s world people usually choose their own marriage partner. However, this is not the way for all cultures living in western society. Arranged marriages still happen. For example many Indian families who have settled outside India still uphold this tradition. Often the most important aspect is the bond between the two families, rather than the relationship between the couple being married. Property or land with the aim of securing social status sometimes secures marriage agreements.

In the Shakespearean time arranged, marriages were very common. This is clearly displayed in Hamlet. Prince Hamlet and Ophelia are in love, but cannot be married because of their families. Hamlet’s family has so much influence on who he marries. They must approve of the marriage and the only way they will do that is to pick Hamlets wife. http://con.ca/issues/2/38/1011?

Poisons

A lot of people mistake a substance, which actually turns out to be a harmful or even deadly poison. Often times toddlers mistake liquids for juice, or vitamins for actual medication. Who ever thought that baby oil can coat the lungs of a baby, or child and cause death. Poisoning is the leading cause of death and injury.

It just so happens that Hamlets father was killed with poison to his ear, which was called Hebenon. Throughout the book poisons are used and talked about. At the ending of this book Claudius brings wine which really is poison, and attempts to kill everyone around. He kills his own wife Gertrude, Hamlet, and even himself.

Poisons will continue to be harmful and cause deaths. Unfortunately, kids of young ages will mostly be the victims. You even hear poisons being used to kill people. I think this is a continuous weapon that will keep causing deaths.

Suicide

The World Health Organization estimates that in the year 2004 approximately one million people will die from suicide. A global death rate of 16 per 100,000, which is about one death every 40 seconds. In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Overall suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicides. Mental disorders, particularly depression and substance abuse, are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide. However, suicide results is more likely to occur during periods of family and individual crisis. In the US, the Center for Disease Control reports that more people die from suicide than from homicide. In 1997, there were 1.5 times as many suicides as homicides. Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than are females. However, females are more likely to attempt suicide than are males. 1