Violets symbolize modesty and chastity; the death of the violets is the death of her purity. Repentance before death is imperative to the characters of Hamlet. If they do not successfully do so, they may be subject to a life in Purgatory or Hell. Ophelia’s song may have been a discreet admission of her sins and repentance in preparation of her impending death. As she is falling in the brook, she holds crow flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples. Crow flowers, or buttercups, stand for ingratitude; ingratitude of herself for her own life, or ingratitude of others for not appreciating the people and objects they have in their lives. Nettles and daisies pair together to symbolize the sharp opinions associated with female virginity and the painfulness of fake innocence, and the orchids, called “long purples” in Hamlet, represent Ophelia’s sexuality that she wants to literally take to the grave with her. Her careful approach to death shows her as a hidden feminist. She finally takes control of her own life and proves to everyone that she would rather die than stay subject to those who prevent her from thinking for herself. Ophelia ended her life with a final defiance to those who controlled her life and took away her
Violets symbolize modesty and chastity; the death of the violets is the death of her purity. Repentance before death is imperative to the characters of Hamlet. If they do not successfully do so, they may be subject to a life in Purgatory or Hell. Ophelia’s song may have been a discreet admission of her sins and repentance in preparation of her impending death. As she is falling in the brook, she holds crow flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples. Crow flowers, or buttercups, stand for ingratitude; ingratitude of herself for her own life, or ingratitude of others for not appreciating the people and objects they have in their lives. Nettles and daisies pair together to symbolize the sharp opinions associated with female virginity and the painfulness of fake innocence, and the orchids, called “long purples” in Hamlet, represent Ophelia’s sexuality that she wants to literally take to the grave with her. Her careful approach to death shows her as a hidden feminist. She finally takes control of her own life and proves to everyone that she would rather die than stay subject to those who prevent her from thinking for herself. Ophelia ended her life with a final defiance to those who controlled her life and took away her