What might William Shakespeare have meant by full fathom five?

In "The Tempest", Act 1, Scene 2, Ariel sings a song that includes the line, "Full fathom five thy father lies". This line refers to the depth of the water where Ferdinand's father, the King of Naples, is buried.

Here are a few possible interpretations of this phrase:

- A literal interpretation: The phrase "full fathom five" means "five fathoms deep", or about 30 feet. This would suggest that Ferdinand's father is buried relatively close to the surface of the water, perhaps in a shallow grave or on a rocky outcrop.

- A symbolic interpretation: The number five is often associated with death and resurrection in Western culture, and the fathom is a unit of measurement that is closely associated with the sea. As such, the phrase "full fathom five" could be interpreted as a symbolic representation of Ferdinand's father's death and his journey into the afterlife.

- An emotional interpretation: The phrase "full fathom five" could also be interpreted as a reflection of Ferdinand's grief over his father's death. The image of his father lying deep beneath the waves could evoke feelings of loss, longing, and despair.