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All Site ContentHamletAct 1Scene 3
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"in the morn and liquid dew"
Metaphor
Act 1,
Scene 3
Lines 41-44

Index Intro: An explanation of the “liquid dew” metaphor in Act 1, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Laertes

And in the morn and liquid dew of youth,
Contagious blastments are most imminent. 
Be wary then, best safety lies in fear; 
Youth to itself rebels, though none else near. 

With this metaphor, Laertes suggests that just as plants are mildewed by wet dew in the early part of the day, so maidens are ruined by male lust in the early youth of life.