- Murder: Many characters in Shakespeare's plays are murdered, either by other characters or by themselves. Some notable examples include the murder of Julius Caesar by a group of senators, the murder of King Hamlet by his brother Claudius, and the murder of Othello by Iago.
- Suicide: Suicide is also a common cause of death in Shakespeare's plays. Some characters, such as Romeo and Juliet, commit suicide out of love, while others, such as Brutus, commit suicide out of guilt or despair.
- Battle: Many characters in Shakespeare's plays die in battle. Some of the most famous battles in Shakespeare plays include the Battle of Bosworth Field in Richard III, the Battle of Agincourt in Henry V, and the Battle of Philippi in Julius Caesar.
- Poisoning: Poisoning is another common cause of death in Shakespeare plays. Some characters, such as Cleopatra, use poison to kill themselves, while others, such as Hamlet, are poisoned by others.
- Disease: Disease is also a major killer in Shakespeare's plays. Some characters, such as the Prince of Wales in Henry IV, Part 1, die from natural causes, while others, such as the King of France in King Lear, die from a plague.
The deaths in Shakespeare's plays are often used to create dramatic tension and to explore themes such as love, loss, revenge, and honor. They also reflect the social and historical context of the times in which the plays were set.