Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark

SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK

- Act 1, Scene 4, Line 90

When Hamlet sees the ghost, Marcellus describes the whole state of Denmark as rotten. Decay affects the whole country.

Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,

- Act 1, Scene 2, Line 129

Hamlet wishes that his fleshwould melt away like the Wicked Witch of the West's.But not only is that not allowed, God won't even let him kill himself. Boo hoo!

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.

- Act 5, Scene 1, Line 160-162

Hamlet comes face-to-skull with his old jester, Yorick. Here's a guy he knew and loved and now what is he...rotted away.

KING CLAUDIUSNow, Hamlet, where's Polonius?HAMLETAt supper.KING CLAUDIUSAt supper! where?HAMLETNot where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certainconvocation of politic worms are e'en at him.- Act 4, Scene 3, Lines 18-22

Alexander died, Alexander was buried,Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel?- Act 5, Scene 1, Line 189-192

Hamlet is kind of obsessed with the idea that everyone (even Alexander the Great) ends up as worm food!

Do not for ever with thy vailed lidsSeek for thy noble father in the dust:Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die,Passing through nature to eternity.- Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 70-73

Apparently, he gets it from his mom.