Flower Symbolism In Hamlet

To convey emotions through the expected diction of the world is one thing, but to achieve a similar objective in an exotic way is another. Abraham Lincoln once said that “actions speak louder than words,” and he could not be more right. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, young Ophelia is expressing her feelings indirectly. In addition to her madness, Ophelia delivers a bouquet of flowers that are emblematic of each character, along with their features.

More often than not, gifts are given with a matter of considerable significance. For Ophelia, the flowers she delivers to Laertes are of paramount importance - rosemary and pansies. The rosemary is a plant that symbolizes remembrance, and the pansy represents unity and faithfulness. As a recipient of

Both flowers are symbols of ingratitude, foolishness, faithlessness, and adultery. The fennel is known to wither hastily, and not long after, Claudius is killed. He demonstrates the traits of the flowers in a variety of ways, one being his actions with the queen. Claudius is unfaithful in wedlock because he robs Hamlet Sr. “of life, of crown, [and] of queen [all] at once,” committing adultery. The new king proves to be unfaithful to his own brother, first killing him, then marrying his wife, but he is also foolish to think he would not be exposed. The ghost himself refers to Claudius as an “adulterous animal,” and it is conspicuous that Claudius is nothing but a fool. Ophelia is indirectly accusing him of his trickery in King Hamlet’s death, and his disloyalty toward his brother, once again, taking a jab at another person. He continues to inveigle others as he says, “I like him not, nor stands it safe with us, to let his madness range,” as a cover up to prepare Hamlet’s death. Overconfident in his power, he manipulates Denmark and takes what is not rightfully his, but remains unapologetic for his actions - the perfect combination to accept the fennel and