Question

select the correct answer.

read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3 of hamlet.

(30) 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.

king claudius: what dost you mean by this?

hamlet: nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.

what message does hamlet convey to king claudius?

everyone dies, no matter their wealth or social status.
king claudius is destined to die at the hands of a beggar.
though he is king, claudius is no better than a beggar.
he knows claudius does not come from a royal family.

Explanation:

Analyze the literal meaning of Hamlet's words

Hamlet describes a physical cycle: a worm eats a deceased king, a beggar uses that worm to fish, and the beggar eats the fish that consumed the worm.

Determine the underlying message

By tracing how a king can literally pass "through the guts of a beggar," Hamlet illustrates that death is the ultimate equalizer, stripping away all earthly power, wealth, and social hierarchy.

Evaluate the given options

The first option directly captures this universal theme of mortality, showing that everyone dies regardless of their wealth or social status.

Answer:

• Everyone dies, no matter their wealth or social status. (Correct answer)
• King Claudius is destined to die at the hands of a beggar.
• Though he is king, Claudius is no better than a beggar.
• He knows Claudius does not come from a royal family.