Symbolism Of Ophelia's Flowers In Hamlet By William Shakespeare

Ophelia's Flowers Flowers have been an incredible part of different societies for generations; flora has expressed and symbolized every social message that can be imparted to another, causing this phenomenon to make its way into the theatre. Hamlet is a wonderful picture of this showing the earliest impact flowers have had on theatre, entertainment, and culture. Although no one coined the technical term floriography until the early 1700s, the concept of plant symbolism has existed for an untraceable amount of time (Weiner). Ophelia’s fennel, columbines, daisies, and violets show that flowers were a part of the culture in the Elizabethan era; however, history shows that floriography as a concept did not. As stated before, flowers

Even though her songs and insanity, she was lucid enough that her floral messages were intentional quips and attacks; additionally, the Shakespearian and Elizabethan eras were a time of sacred politeness, meaning that even were Ophelia sane, she could not have felt free to express her opinions in words for fear of the ridicule she would have endured in their face. Consequently, Shakespeare created a setting for Ophelia's flowers. Because of the cultural implications of extreme civility and politeness regarding social standing and appearance, everyone (especially women) would have understood the messages that Ophelia was sending even without her singing what they were (Huntington). With that said, the plants the princess used were these: rosemary for remembrance and faithfulness would go to her beloved brother Laertes, urging him to remember what happened to their father and help her; pansies, also refer to her brother for thoughts in addition to remembrance. However, the king’s “gift” is not heartfelt, Ophelia gives him fennel representing false flattery that fades as quickly as the root itself, and Columbines symbolizing adultery, ingratitude, faithlessness, and foolishness. Rue, a message of adultery, everlasting suffering, and womanly repentance, is given to her mother, the queen. By this, she draws attention to the suffering caused by her disgusting and almost adulterous actions. A frail daisy, Ophelia does not give

Social convention imposed severe restrictions on what could be expressed directly, so people used flowers to flirt and send secret messages. ‘Le Langage des Fleurs’, the first dictionary to explain the meanings behind various flowers, was published in 1819 in Paris and introduced a code that became extremely popular with the middle and upper classes of Victorian society, who were bound by strict etiquette. Popular floral meanings in the Victorian era included honeysuckle for the sweetness and bonds of love, and roses representing love – a symbol still understood today. Messages were traditionally conveyed via bouquets of herbs and flowers called ‘tussie-mussies’; the receiver would respond by holding the bouquet in a certain way to display acceptance, acknowledgment, and approval. (“Floriography | The Victorian Language of