Garden Motif In Hamlet Analysis
The garden motif in Hamlet contributes to characterization and theme. The characters Ophelia and Hamlet both find characterization within the motif, and the theme of corruption is depicted through the garden motif.
Ophelia is the character most often associated with the garden motif. Flowers and weeds are intimately intertwined with Ophelia’s characterization. Initially, the flowers speak to Ophelia’s innocence and purity. In Act I, scene iii, Laertes seeks to give her advice upon his departure for France. “The canker galls the infants of the spring, / Too oft before their buttons be disclosed, / And, in the morn and liquid dew of youth, / Contagious blastments are most imminent” (lines 42-45). In this conversation, he is comparing Ophelia to a budding flower, …show more content…
Both roses and the month of May have historical connections to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so may be references to Ophelia’s innocence and virginity in the eyes of her brother (Thurston).
However, Ophelia’s connection to the flower motif morphs throughout Hamlet. In the conclusion of Act IV, Gertrude enters and recounts Ophelia’s death. Gertrude’s tale is laced with references to various flowers and weeds, which exemplify the garden motif. Gertrude reveals that Ophelia drowned while climbing in a willow tree above a brook, where she subsequently fell. Gertrude observed Ophelia crafting garlands “of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples” (scene vii, line 187). The tree Ophelia scaled and the flowers she plucked have symbolic meanings that characterize Ophelia. Willow trees’ drooping branches symbolize depression and mourning, which is befitting to Ophelia’s character as she fails to cope with the murder of her father and Hamlet’s rejection of her. Each of the flowers also has a meaning attached. Crow flowers, more commonly known as buttercups, are representative of maidenship and poisonous beauty. These continue the characterization of Ophelia as
Ophelia is the character most often associated with the garden motif. Flowers and weeds are intimately intertwined with Ophelia’s characterization. Initially, the flowers speak to Ophelia’s innocence and purity. In Act I, scene iii, Laertes seeks to give her advice upon his departure for France. “The canker galls the infants of the spring, / Too oft before their buttons be disclosed, / And, in the morn and liquid dew of youth, / Contagious blastments are most imminent” (lines 42-45). In this conversation, he is comparing Ophelia to a budding flower, …show more content…
Both roses and the month of May have historical connections to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so may be references to Ophelia’s innocence and virginity in the eyes of her brother (Thurston).
However, Ophelia’s connection to the flower motif morphs throughout Hamlet. In the conclusion of Act IV, Gertrude enters and recounts Ophelia’s death. Gertrude’s tale is laced with references to various flowers and weeds, which exemplify the garden motif. Gertrude reveals that Ophelia drowned while climbing in a willow tree above a brook, where she subsequently fell. Gertrude observed Ophelia crafting garlands “of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples” (scene vii, line 187). The tree Ophelia scaled and the flowers she plucked have symbolic meanings that characterize Ophelia. Willow trees’ drooping branches symbolize depression and mourning, which is befitting to Ophelia’s character as she fails to cope with the murder of her father and Hamlet’s rejection of her. Each of the flowers also has a meaning attached. Crow flowers, more commonly known as buttercups, are representative of maidenship and poisonous beauty. These continue the characterization of Ophelia as