Were such things here as we do speak about ? 
Or have we eaten on the Insane Root 
That takes the reason prisoner ?— Macbeth, i. 3, 83. 
T 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 Bella¬ 
donna/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). 
(1) 
(2) 
( 3 ) 
3 vy. 
The female Ivy so 
Enrings the barky fingers of the Elm. 
Midsummer Night's Dream , iv. i, 48, 
That now he was 
The Ivy which had hid my princely trunk 
And suck’d my verdure out on’t.— Tempest , i. 2, 85. 
If aught possess thee from me, it is dross, 
Usurping Ivy, Brier, or idle Moss. 
Comedy of Errors , ii. 2, 179* 
135 
