Cemeteries have always held a fascination for people. They are final resting places, markers of history and, some say, portals to the afterlife. The association between cemeteries and the supernatural is well established in popular culture. But what about cursed graves? How do they fit into the narrative?
For starters, cursed graves are not a fictional construct. There are quite a few examples of graves that are believed to be cursed, most of which can be traced back to local legends or lore. These graves are typically associated with tragic events, murders, suicides, or simply bad luck, and are said to bring misfortune to anyone who disturbs them.
Theater, like cemeteries, has always had an association with the supernatural. In fact, many theaters claim to be haunted, and some even boast their own cursed objects. It's not surprising, then, that cursed graves have also made an appearance on the theatrical stage.
One famous example is Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. The title character famously encounters his father's ghost, who reveals that he was murdered and asks Hamlet to avenge him. The play takes place partially in a graveyard, where Hamlet famously utters the line "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is!" while holding the skull of a jester.
Cursed graves have also been used as plot devices in modern plays and musicals. For instance, Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods features a cursed graveyard where the recently deceased are resurrected and terrorize the living. Similarly, in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, the characters sing about the cursed fate that befell Alexander Hamilton, who was killed in a duel and buried in an unmarked grave.
Theatergoers are drawn to the supernatural, and cursed graves add an extra layer of intrigue and mystery to any performance. Whether they are used as a plot device or a backdrop, these spooky burial grounds are sure to capture the audience's imagination.
Of course, cursed graves are not just the stuff of legend and entertainment. Some people believe that disturbing them can bring real-life consequences, from bad luck to illness and injury. So, if you ever find yourself near a cemetery in the dead of night, it might be best to steer clear of any marked graves with cautionary tales attached. But if you're inside a theater, enjoying the magic of live performance, let yourself be transported by the eerie ambiance created by a cursed grave. After all, nothing adds drama to a story like a little bit of supernatural mischief.