University puts trigger warnings on 200 works of Shakespeare including "extreme weather" and "drunkenness"

University puts trigger warnings on 200 works of Shakespeare including 'extreme weather' and 'drunkenness'Students were warned of the ‘popping of balloons’ in one production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest

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A university has added more than 200 trigger warnings on William Shakespeare's works, including for “mourning” and the “popping of balloons”.

The University of West England (UWE) has warned students of “blood” and ‘psychological trauma” in Macbeth, as well as “magic” and “extreme weather” in The Tempest.

A total of 220 warnings have been issued across several of the Bard’s most iconic works, including adaptations from renowned theatres, as well as versions produced by the BBC and ITV, The Sun reported.

A production of Macbeth starring Nicole Cooper and James RobinsonEllie Kurttz

Macbeth, Shakespeare’s renowned "Scottish play" about a nobleman who murders the king to seize the throne, was issued trigger warnings for “violence,” “knives,” and even “family trauma.”

The Winter’s Tale was said to contain “accusations of adultery” and “references to wild animal attack” — alluding to the famous scene where Antigonus is attacked and killed by a bear.

Romeo and Juliet, the tragic story of two star-crossed lovers who take their own lives, was said to contain references to “suicide”, “distress” and “mourning”.

A production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Marc Brenner

The Tempest, featuring shipwrecked nobles, came with warnings for “storms,” “extreme weather,” “drunkenness,” and “witchcraft.”

One stage adaptation of the play was even highlighted for the “popping of balloons”.

In response to the trigger warnings, Free Speech Union leader Toby Young raged: “If I was a University of the West of England drama student, I’d be furious about being treated like such a snowflake.”

A spokesman from Bristol-based UWE said: “Content warnings were previously requested by students with sensory processing issues and experiences of trauma.”