Final answer:
Shelley's description of a dead body as a peaceful sleeper suggests a tranquil state in death, aligning more with serene and respectful traditions of handling the deceased rather than a depiction of decay or unrest.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passages provided reference various states and aspects of death and the afterlife as perceived in different cultures and times. Shelley's reference to a dead body can be interpreted as a calm and peace brought upon the dead, likened to a peaceful sleeper. This imagery suggests a serene transition from life to death, where the soul may find solace, rather than evoking a picture of decay or unrest.
In the artistic depiction by Steven and Beth, a dead woman is presented on a funeral bier, conforming to the traditions of the time, and the Sumerian belief system depicts the afterlife as gloomy. The Russian Orthodox faith associating non-putrefaction with holiness aligns more with the idea of death as a restful state, whereas other excerpts describe death more graphically and violently, such as during a surgery or battle at sea.