HAMLET(IV)
The Symbolism in Flowers

Remember when the mad Ophelia gave away rosemary, pansies, fennel, columbines, rue (herb of grace), daisies, and violets? There is no question that this is a famous and important scene, but critics do disagree on its interpretation. We know what characters are present to receive the flowers: King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Laertes, and Horatio (in the wings). Who do you see getting which flowers? Why? Consider these varying ideas of what flowers represent and try to come to your own interpretation of the scene. Base your decision on what you have already learned about each character.

(Note: Elizabethans were accustomed to emblematic usages. Therefore, the audience would understand that Shakespeare was using Ophelia's madness and flower-giving to convey a deeper meaning--what rational conversation could not.)

Flowers as Symbols
Rosemary: rememberance, normally associated with remembrance of the dead at funerals, but also rememberance between lovers.
Pansies: thought-French for thought is pensees; Pensar is "to think" in Spanish ; when we say someone is pensive we mean that the person is thoughful and contemplative.
Fennel: marital infidelity, cuckoldry
Columbines: flattery- insincerity culminating in dissembling and pretense (or) ingratitude, thanklessness
Rue: (also "Herb Of Grace") repentance (or) sorrow
Daisy: forsaken love, unhappy love
Violets: faithfulness

Questions

  1. Are the flowers real or imaginary?

  2. Could the formulaic "For you...for you..." suggest a succession of recipients?

  3. For what possible reason does Ophelia keep some rue for herself?

  4. What about the daisy? Ophelia says, "There's a daisy," but does that mean she gave it away or just indicated that she was holding a daisy among her bouquet?

  5. Does Horatio receive any flowers or is he simply a spectator?

  6. Why do you think the violets are withered?

  7. If you believe that Ophelia deliberately killed herself, of what significance are the Rosemary and Pansies?

How To Read A Bouquet

This page was coded by Sarah Stabler 12/12/00