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All Site ContentHamletAct 3Scene 2
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"of midnight weeds collected"
Allusion
Act 3,
Scene 2
Lines 236-241

An explanation of “midnight weeds” in Act 3, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Lucianus

‘Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing —
Considerate season else no creature seeing.
Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected,    
With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected,    
Thy natural magic and dire property,
On wholesome life, usurp immediately.’

It was believed that poisonous plants were at their most potent in the middle of the night—the bewitching hour.