Part 45 (1/2)

[128:1] It seems likely from the following pa.s.sage from Lily's ”Euphues, the anatomy of wit,” 1617, that the plants were not named at random by Iago, but that there was some connection between them. ”Good gardeners, in their curious knots, mixe Isope with Time, as aiders the one with the others; the one being dry, the other moist.” The gardeners of the sixteenth century had a firm belief in the sympathies and antipathies of plants.

INSANE ROOT.

_Banquo._

Were such things here as we do speak about?

Or have we eaten on the Insane Root That takes the reason prisoner?

_Macbeth_, act i, sc. 3 (83).

It is very possible that Shakespeare had no particular plant in view, but simply referred to any of the many narcotic plants which, when given in excess, would ”take the reason prisoner.” The critics have suggested many plants--the Hemlock, the Henbane, the Belladonna, the Mandrake, &c., each one strengthening his opinion from coeval writers. In this uncertainty I should incline to the Henbane from the following description by Gerard and Lyte. ”This herbe is called . . . of Apuleia-Mania” (Lyte). ”Henbane is called . . . of Pythagoras, Zoroaster, and Apuleius, Insana” (Gerard).

IVY.

(1) _t.i.tania._

The female Ivy so Enrings the barky fingers of the Elm.

_Midsummer Night's Dream_, act iv, sc. 1 (48).

(2) _Prospero._

That now he was The Ivy which had hid my princely trunk And suck'd my verdure out on't.

_Tempest_, act i, sc. 2 (85).

(3) _Adriana._

If ought possess thee from me, it is dross, Usurping Ivy, Brier, or idle Moss.

_Comedy of Errors_, act ii, sc. 2 (179).

(4) _Shepherd._

They have scared away two of my best sheep, which I fear the wolf will sooner find than the master; if anywhere I have them 'tis by the seaside browsing of Ivy.[130:1]

_Winter's Tale_, act iii, sc. 3 (66).

(5) _Perith.o.r.es._

His head's yellow, Hard hayr'd, and curl'd, thicke twin'd like Ivy tops, Not to undoe with thunder.

_Two n.o.ble Kinsmen_, act iv, sc. 2 (115).