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The Great Gatsby
Hamlet

Free Literature Study Guides
The Great Gatsby
Hamlet

Yorick’s Skull Quotes

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rises at it.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1. In the graveyard Hamlet fondly remembers the court jester Yorick. He tells Horatio how he knew him as a child, a funny fellow who used to carry him on his back. Now, holding up his skull, he is horrified at the way he has decayed and is reduced to this.

Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now; your gambols, your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar?

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1. Speaking to Yorick’s skull, Hamlet remembers the jester’s lips, which no longer exist. The jokes and songs that came from those lips are are also no more.

Now get you to my lady’s chamber and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1. Hamlet tells Yorick’s skull to tell his mother the Queen that no matter how much makeup she applies to herself, she too will end up like Yorick, dead and her flesh decayed. Hamlet is scorning Gertrude for marrying his uncle so soon after his King Hamlet’s death.

HAMLET: Dost thou think Alexander looked o’ this fashion i’ th’ earth?
HORATIO: E’en so.
HAMLET: And smelt so? Pah! (puts down the skull)

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1. Hamlet asks Horatio if someone as important as Alexander the Great suffered the decay of death and now looks like Yorick’s skull. Hamlet complains about the smell of the skull and puts it down.

To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander till he find it stopping a bunghole?

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1. After finding Yorick’s skull, Hamlet comments to Horatio on how low we can fall and that we all become dust. Even someone as noble as Alexander the Great.