The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.1027  Thursday, 17 June 1999.

From:           John Savage <
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Date:           Wednesday 16 Jun 1999 09:11:12 -0400
Subject: Re: Chooseth
Comment:        SHK 10.0993 Re: Chooseth

Judith Craig writes:

>Portia, wife of Brutus, was no fool and loved her man to the extent of
>swallowing hot coals when
>his fortunes changed.

Has this ever happened in history?  Has anyone ever committed suicide by
swallowing hot coals?  It would appear to be a physical impossibility;
long before the hot coals could do mortal damage they would be
rejected-like the instant they first touch the mouth.

(Not that I've tried it.)