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All Site ContentHamletAct 2Scene 2
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"fruit to that great feast"
Metaphor
Act 2,
Scene 2
Lines 50-53

An explanation of the phrase “fruit to that great feast” in Act 2, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Claudius

Oh, speak of that! That do I long to hear. 

Polonius

Give first admittance to th' ambassadors.
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.    

Claudius

Thyself do grace to them and bring them in.    

In this metaphor Polonius's news following the ambassador’s report is compared to a fruit dish served as the culmination of a grand feast.

(Fruit bowl with flowers, Jan Davidsz de Heem, c. first half of 17th century)