Without his roe, like a dried herring. O flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified!

Without his roe, like a dried herring. O flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified!

The line "Without his roe, like a dried herring. O flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified!" is from William Shakespeare's play "Troilus and Cressida". This particular line is spoken by Thersites, a cynical and sarcastic character who often serves as a voice of reason and criticism in the play.

In this line, Thersites is commenting on the physical appearance of a character named Ajax. He compares Ajax to a dried herring, a fish that has been stripped of its roe (eggs) and left to dry out. By using this metaphor, Thersites is mocking Ajax's lack of vitality and energy. He is essentially saying that without his roe, Ajax is like a lifeless, dried-up fish.

The second part of the line, "O flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified!" further emphasizes Thersites' disdain for Ajax's physical appearance. He is suggesting that Ajax's flesh has taken on the characteristics of a fish, which is not a flattering comparison. Thersites is using this imagery to highlight Ajax's lack of strength and masculinity, as well as his perceived foolishness and incompetence.

Overall, this line is a prime example of Shakespeare's skill in using vivid and evocative language to create memorable and impactful moments in his plays. Thersites' sharp wit and biting commentary add depth and complexity to the character of Ajax, as well as to the overall themes of the play.