Symbols
Ophelia’s Flowers
As Ophelia begins handing out flowers, she declares, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember" (Act IV, Scene v). Rosemary traditionally symbolizes remembrance and loyalty. By offering this to someone, Ophelia might be expressing her desire to be remembered or pleading for someone to stay loyal to her.
Ophelia continues, "And there's pansies, that's for thoughts" (Act IV, Scene v). Pansies, also known as heartsease, often represent thoughtfulness, love in vain, or free-thinking. This could signify Ophelia's preoccupation with Hamlet and the unrequited nature of her love, or it could hint at her own introspective nature and her descent into contemplative madness.
She then offers, "There's fennel for you, and columbines" (Act IV, Scene v). In Victorian flower language, fennel symbolizes flattery or deceit, while columbines represent deception or cuckoldry. These flowers, particularly when given together, could be interpreted as a veiled accusation against Claudius and Gertrude, hinting at his deceitful actions and her potential infidelity.
Handing rue to herself and potentially Claudius, Ophelia utters, "There's rue for you; and here's some for me; we may call it herb of grace o' Sundays" (Act IV, Scene v). Rue symbolizes repentance, sorrow, and regret. Offering it to herself suggests Ophelia's own sense of guilt or sorrow, while offering it to Claudius could be interpreted as a subtle condemnation of his actions and a plea for him to repent.
Notably absent from Ophelia's floral distribution are violets. She mentions, "I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died" (Act IV, Scene v). Violets symbolize modesty, faithfulness, and innocence. Their absence could signify the loss of these qualities in Ophelia due to her father's death and the betrayal she experiences at the hands of Hamlet.
Yorick’s Skull
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the unearthed skull of Yorick, the former jester of King Hamlet, serves as a powerful symbol with multifaceted meanings. Its presence throughout Act V acts as a constant reminder of mortality, the impermanence of life, and the ultimate leveling effect of death.
The initial encounter with the skull occurs in the graveyard scene, where Hamlet contemplates its origins and muses on the jester's past life. He remembers Yorick, recalling specific details about his appearance and humor: "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy" (V.i.187–188). This familiarity underscores the difference between Yorick's vibrant life and his current state as a mere skull.
The skull serves as the inspiration for Hamlet's soliloquy, which explores the universality of death by asking, "Where are his jibes now, his gambols, his songs, his flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar?" (V.i.190–192). He ponders the fate of Yorick's once-celebrated qualities, highlighting the futility of earthly pursuits and achievements in the face of ultimate demise. This reflection extends beyond Yorick, prompting Hamlet to contemplate the fate of all mankind, including himself and those in power: "Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay / Might stop a hole to keep the wind away" (V.i.217–218).
Furthermore, the skull serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of memory. While Hamlet remembers Yorick fondly, he acknowledges that others may not: "Ay, marry, why to my thinking: look you, a man's mind most rakes over the filth of all the world. Hath not this fellow put a pasty in his mouth?" (V.i.201–203). This realization stresses how fragile memory is and how easily individuals can be forgotten with the passage of time.
Moreover, the skull becomes a tool for Hamlet to confront his mother, Queen Gertrude, about her hasty marriage to Claudius. He holds the skull aloft and asks, "Where is thy father?" (V.i.204). This symbolic gesture is meant to remind her of her deceased husband and the moral implications of her actions. The skull acts as a silent witness to the betrayal and corruption that have plagued the kingdom.
