Final answer:
The phrase 'a piece of him' in Hamlet is used by Horatio to humorously express his dislike for the cold, reflecting Shakespeare's use of language to hint at characters' deeper emotions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "a piece of him" spoken by Horatio stems from the play Hamlet, where it can be interpreted as Horatio using humor to express his reluctance about standing outside in the cold. This witty remark might refer to the fact that the conditions are so harsh that only a part of him, possibly his spirit or enthusiasm, is present while the rest would prefer to be indoors where it's warm. The expression reflects a common use of hyperbole in literature as a figurative language, often found in Shakespeare's works, to convey characters' feelings or attitudes.
In the provided excerpts, characters express their discomfort with their environment in various ways, ranging from subtle hints to outright complaints. For instance, the man sipping blackberry wine indicates his detachment from reality except for his immediate comforts, such as the shawl and wine. Similarly, when a character mentions it being 'hot enough for me down there,' followed by a 'ghostly laugh,' he uses humor to buffer his true feelings about the situation. Each of these instances illustrates how characters might use indirect language, such as humor or metaphor, to convey deeper emotions or states of being amidst challenging circumstances.