O my dear Gertrude, this,
Like to a murdering-piece, in many places
Gives me superfluous death.
– William Shakespeare
Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 5. Claudius says he feels as though he being murdered many times over, as he fears Laertes who has burst into the castle will attribute his father Polonius’ murder to Claudius. Claudius’ words foreshadow that there will be many more deaths to follow.