"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy" ~ William Shakespeare

*"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy" ~ William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1).

The line is spoken by Hamlet, in a graveyard scene where he encounters the skull of Yorick, the court jester he knew as a child. Hamlet reflects on the inevitability of death and the memories associated with Yorick, who once brought joy and laughter to his life; he considers Yorick's playful nature and the stark contrast between his past and the present reality of death.

Hamlet contemplates life, death, and the human condition. The scene serves as a reminder that all people, regardless of their status or wealth, will ultimately share the same final fate - death. The imagery of Yorick's skull symbolizes the physical decay that comes with death, contrasting sharply with the vibrant life Yorick once had. Hamlet's reflection on Yorick's past joviality highlights the theme of lost innocence and the transient nature of joy.