Citation

Jeffrey E, Jeffrey D. J. R. Coll. Physicians Edinb. 2009; 39(1): 15-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

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? © 2009 the authors.

Language: en

Keywords

literature; suicide; Ethics; article; family life; health care delivery; terminal care; publication; attitude to death; Assisted suicide; Suffering; End-of-life care; King Lear; Palliative