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What is the meaning of these lines from Hamlet in their context?

"'Tis now the very witching time of night, / When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out / Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hot blood / And do such bitter business as the bitter day / Would quake to look on."

Quick answer:

In these lines from Act III, Scene 2 of Hamlet, Hamlet reflects on the darkness of night, a time associated with witches and the opening of graves, symbolizing evil and danger. He expresses a readiness to commit terrible acts, like drinking hot blood and performing deeds too horrific for daylight. However, he resolves to confront his mother, Gertrude, with harsh words rather than violence, indicating his restraint despite his inner turmoil.

Expert Answers

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These lines are spoken by Hamlet in Act III, Scene 2 of the play.  Here is what he means, more or less.

This is the time of night when the witches come out.

It is the time of night when graves open up and you can even smell the stink of hell breathing disease into the world.

Because it is night, I could do terrible things.  I could drink hot blood (meaning from things that aren't dead) and do other stuff that even the daylight would be horrified by.

But instead of actually doing stuff like that, he's going to go see his mother.  He says he won't actually do anything horrible to her -- just use harsh words.

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