There is an amazingly long-lived story that involves the death of a king by pouring poison in his ear. It’s most famous in western culture as a scene in Hamlet by which the murderous deeds of Claudius are revealed.
I really like this image I’ve found online. It doesn’t illustrate the specific scene from Hamlet, but it does go to show that this meme has been around for a while.
The study of art and culture is useful. We learn how the minds of men and women work, and we learn which things they value most.
The twist that Willy put on this tale is genius. He uses the players to “prick the conscious” of the king, and by his reaction, to judge his guilt or innocence.
Sadly, poor Hamlet still cannot make up his mind, even when the evidence is before him.
You can read about it here.