HAMLET [...] we fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes, but to one table; that's the end.CLAUDIUS Alas, alas.HAMLET A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.CLAUDIUS What dost thou mean by this?HAMLET Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.

Summary

In this quote, Hamlet reflects on the fragility and equality of human existence. He criticizes the hierarchical social structure, stating that all creatures, including humans, feed on other beings. The "fat" king and "lean" beggar both contribute to the same cycle of consumption and mortality. Hamlet metaphorically suggests that a king can be reduced to the level of a beggar through death and decay. This comment serves as a reminder of the eventual decomposition and interconnectedness of all living beings.

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