I keep hearing this phrase in writing and art, as in "shrug off this mortal coil" and similar uses.
Can anyone explain to me where it comes from? I understand the meaning but am unsure on the etymology and such.
2007-09-26 20:59:32 · 3 answers · asked by Eggshell 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It's a quotation from Hamlet, and I think the image is the butterfly emerging from the chrysalis. The empty chrysalis looks like a coil in many butterflies and moths.
2007-09-27 00:25:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
shuffle off this mortal coil.... It is from Hamlet (Shakespeare)
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/319800.html
whenever I hear this phrase, I immediately picture the famous Escher drawing of the human shaped "rind" being unpeeled, like an orange peeling, or apple peeling coil....
2007-09-26 21:08:43 · answer #2 · answered by Princess Picalilly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is Hamlet. He's talking about death. In this case, suicide. He's questioning whether or not he should kill himself and end his anger at his father's murder.
2007-09-30 14:32:33 · answer #3 · answered by John O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋