What Does Hamlet Mean By Shuffled Off This Mortal Coil?

The phrase "shuffled off this mortal coil" is a line from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," and it is used to refer to death. In Act III, Scene 1, Hamlet is speaking to Horatio about the death of his father, King Hamlet, and he says, "To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub: For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause."
Hamlet is contemplating the mystery and unknown that lies beyond death, and the line "shuffled off this mortal coil" refers to the act of shedding one's physical body, the "mortal coil" being a metaphor for the mortal, earthly existence. Hamlet is suggesting that death is simply a transition from this life to the next, and he wonders what lies beyond it.
The phrase has since become a commonly used expression to refer to death, and its enduring popularity is a testament to the timeless themes explored in Shakespeare's work. In "Hamlet," death is portrayed as a natural part of life, and the play invites us to consider the inevitability of our own mortality and the uncertain future that lies beyond it.
In conclusion, the phrase "shuffled off this mortal coil" is a powerful expression of the human fear of the unknown and the desire to understand the meaning of life and death. It reminds us of our own mortality and the fleeting nature of our existence, and it encourages us to contemplate the greater mysteries of life and beyond.