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All Site ContentHamletAct 4Scene 5
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"divinity doth hedge a king"
Metaphor
Act 4,
Scene 5
Lines 118b-124

An explanation of the phrase “divinity doth hedge a king” in Act 4, Scene 5 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Claudius

                                 What is the cause, Laertes, 
That thy rebellion looks so giant-like? 
Let him go, Gertrude. Do not fear our person.
There's such divinity does hedge a king,
That Treason can but peep to what it wouldwould,
Acts little of his will. Tell me, Laertes,    
Why thou art thus incensed? Let him go, Gertrude.  

In this metaphor, the divine protection of a king is like a fence. Traitors, though they can peep through it, cannot harm the King.