Hamlet

Read the exchange between Hamlet and Claudius in Act IV. Ham. A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm. King What dost thou mean by this? Ham. Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progr

Read the exchange between Hamlet and Claudius in Act IV.

Ham.
A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.
King
What dost thou mean by this?
Ham.
Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.

What point does Hamlet seem to be making in this exchange?

Asked by
Last updated by jill d #170087
Answers 1
Add Yours

In this exchange, Hamlet is voicing aiming a pointed, yet veiled, threat toward Claudius. His words should be taken as a warning.