Flower Symbolism in Hamlet Act 4, Scene 5

Flower Symbolism in Hamlet
Act 4, Scene 5
Remember when Ophelia gave away rosemary, pansies, fennel, columbines,
rue (herb of grace), daisies, and violets? There is no question that this is a
famous and important scene, but critics do disagree on its interpretation.
We know what characters are present to receive the flowers: King Claudius,
Queen Gertrude, Laertes, and Horatio (in the wings). Who do you see
getting which flowers? Why? Consider these varying ideas of what flowers
represent and try to come to your own interpretation of the scene. Base
your decision on what you have already learned about each character.
(Note: Elizabethans were accustomed to emblematic usages. Therefore, the
audience would understand that Shakespeare was using Ophelia's madness
and flower-giving to convey a deeper meaning--what rational conversation
could not.)
Source: Source: http://www.homewood.k12.al.us/~sstabler/tut/tutorial.html
Flower
Rosemary:
Pansies:
Fennel:
Symbolism
remembrance, normally associated with remembrance of the dead
at funerals, but also remembrance between lovers.
thought-French for thought is pensees; Pensar is "to think" in
Spanish ; when we say someone is pensive we mean that the person
is thoughtful and contemplative.
marital infidelity, cuckoldry
Columbines:
flattery- insincerity culminating in dissembling and pretense (or)
ingratitude, thanklessness
Rue:
(also "Herb Of Grace") repentance (or) sorrow
Daisy:
forsaken love, unhappy love
Violets:
Faithfulness
Which flower(s) fit the following characters?
King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Laertes, Ophelia and Horatio
Flower
Rosemary:
Symbolism
remembrance, normally associated with remembrance of the dead
at funerals, but also remembrance between lovers.
Pansies:
thought-French for thought is pensees; Pensar is "to think" in
Spanish ; when we say someone is pensive we mean that the
person is thoughtful and contemplative.
Fennel:
marital infidelity, cuckoldry
Columbines:
flattery- insincerity culminating in dissembling and pretense (or)
ingratitude, thanklessness
Rue:
(also "Herb Of Grace") repentance (or) sorrow
Daisy:
forsaken love, unhappy love
Violets:
Faithfulness
Character