Hamlet, Shakespeare V.I pg 126
"Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away."
Shakespeare's reference to Julius Caesar, who was an all-powerful emperor, is very significant and interesting as Hamlet explores the realities of mortality. Similarly to the murder of Hamlet's father, Caesar was murdered by his close friend Brutus. Betrayal and a fall from greatness is exactly what Hamlet is dealing with in his own life.
Caesar being murdered by his close friend Brutus
Furthermore, Hamlet is constantly trying to understand mortality. As seen in the famous quote in Act III, Hamlet discusses whether "to be or not to be," toying with suicide and deciding what makes life worth living. Similarly, in this quote he makes a pivotal realisation that no man, no matter how powerful he is, will last. Even Julius Caesar, a conquerer and dictator, turned into pieces of dust that serve menial purposes.
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