Mandel moves between Shakespeare and comics, well-known works and self-published works. She writes, “Shakespeare was the third born to his parents, but the first to survive infancy. Four of his siblings died young. His son, Hamnet, died at eleven and left behind a twin. Plague closed the theaters again and again, death flickering over the landscape” (57).

How does the context in which Shakespeare’s work was produced relate to the setting of the novel and/or the post-apocalyptic genre in general? How do Shakespearean motifs relate to both Station Eleven the novel and the Station Eleven comic book? What is the significance of King Lear, and what are the major themes of the play? What rhetorical affects might these have in terms of purpose and message? You do not have to answer all of these questions. Choose a topic related to the questions above and write a sustained argument, with a thesis/claim, and support.

Your argument here should be at least 500 words and integrate and cite sources from the text, and outside research, for the necessary evidence.You should include at least one primary quote (from Station Eleven) and one secondary source quote (your own research).