Hamnet

How does the author illustrate the plague's journey into England in the novel, Hamnet?

.

Asked by
Last updated by Jill W
1 Answers
Log in to answer

A unique section of the novel functioning as an intermission between Part I and Part II traces the plague’s journey to Henley Street by way of a merchant ship. The ship travels from Africa to Europe, making several stops along the way to exchange goods and sailors. The ship’s voyage lays the path of the plague from a monkey’s flea in Alexandria all the way to Judith in Stratford. During the voyage, the single flea multiplies and infects the ship’s crew, cats, and cargo. Most of the crew and cats die, but the fleas survive nestled into rags used to pad a shipment of Venetian beads. The beads are delivered to the seamstress who lives next door to the Henley Street house. Judith assists the seamstress by unpacking the beads, leading to her illness and Hamnet’s death.

Source(s)

Hamnet, BookRags