WORM

20th March 2024

Photo Credit: Weber (Getty Images), CANVA

QUOTATION

A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king

and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.

HAMLET: Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 3

WORM (Common Earthworm: Lumbricus terrestris)

Worms appear in many different contexts in Shakespeare. Often the references are clearly to Earthworms but sometimes Worm refers to Snakes. It is usually clear from the context which type of Worm is intended. Earthworms are used as a reminder of death, the end of all lives. Katherine of Aragon, foretelling her death says “when I will dwell with worms, and my poor name banished the kingdom”, Richard II says “lets talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs”. In Hamlet the Worm is a symbol of the circle of life, fortune and status, even Kings are eaten by Worms.

There are 31 native or naturalised Earthworms in Britain and they are essential if unglamorous species in our soil ecosystems. Charles Darwin’s last scientific book in 1881 was on the subject of Earthworms and their importance as soil engineers.

More Information

Buglife: the secret life of the common earthworm

Darwin, C. 1881 The formation of vegetal mould, through the action of worms, with observations on their habits. (1945 edition accessed via Archive.org)

The Earthworm Society of Britain: Visit Site

Folger Shakespeare Library: Search Shakespeare’s Works