The wonderful garden of Denmark's flowers

As a highschool student you will come to know that the best foreshadowing escapes you especially when you read Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as by the end of the play you realize there was truly something rotten in the state of denmark and that it was not the incest and blood on the hands of the royal family but the fact that the main character was captured by pirates in the 50th attempt to kill him and it wasn’t even a big part of the story. In addition, through your reading you’ll also gain knowledge that everything has double meanings that will go totally over your head if you don’t pay attention to detail. Hamlet, is unmistakably one of the greatest plays written by Shakespeare; with so much tragedy despair and a prince who can’t get his emo in check how could any teen want to turn it down let alone adult with its underlying sexual agenda. In spite of that, Hamlet is also a gem because ol’ William Shakes decided to go on a all out rant through the protagonist and somehow managed to hit all of his favorite themes. What better way to discuss of of this by taking the route of Hamlet’s insanity ridden ex and talk about flowers.

THE HISTORY  

Since humans began documenting our highest highs and lowest lows, we have found comfort in new situations and topics by comparing them to something we’ve previously known. This eventually turned into symbolism which eventually turned into comparing someone to a midsummer day. These days we take little care in knowing the meaning behind flowers but if we dig deep enough there are some truly different meanings between the plush petals of our sweet smelling vibrant friends.

SWEET OPHELIA

Ophelia is known for her innocent sweet nature, by which she has even mocked her self for, however people tend to disregard ophelia's important role in hamlet. She captures how shakespeare tends to write about women: their place in society.

1. Azalea

In the language of flowers azaleas literally mean womanhood. What better way to start this than with a flower that portrays exactly what Shakespeare likes to play with in his writings, the womanhood and femininity of women: topics like beauty, innocence, marriage, virginity, and child birth  

2. baby’s breath

Innocence or purity of heart, that’s what baby’s breath symbolises. As a girl of marrying age, which in the time period is only 12-14 years of age, Ophelia is still innocent and easily deceived. Which comes back to bite her in her relationship with Hamlet. Rest is peace, Ophelia.   

3. tulips

The first thing anyone needs to know about tulips are their wide variety of colors and how each color has a different meaning. However, all of these characteristics can apply to our beloved Ophelia in some way. The meanings range from nobility to trust to beautiful eyes. It’s hard to imagine that Shakespeare hadn’t used this flower more in his works….

4. violets

For Ophelia, violets show the two sides of her life.On one side she is a faithful and modest young lady, excluding her relationship with Hamlet. On the other she is mourning and remembering her father’s death and her memories of his role in her life.

5. hibiscus

This flower I’ve chosen because it’s meaning is that it is a extremely rare beauty. At one point Hamlet tells Ophelia how beautiful she is, even though he is dragging her for ‘painting herself another face’.

 

THE FISHMONGER AND HIS WHINY SON

Polonius and his son Laertes are known as the father and brother of Ophelia. With the addition of a noble title due to Polonius' position as the kings royal advisor; this family unfortunately gets roped into the same tragic fate as that of the royal family. Basically, Polonius is insulted and is totally unaware and Laertes gets played into a death wish because he has no family left.

1. bird’s foot trefoil

the bird's foot trefoil is one for vengence. Symbolizing the revenge Laertes wants to take against Hamlet who broke his dear sisters heart and killed his father (by accident), this flower is perfect for Laertes and those wishing to follow in his footsteps. (I'll let you infer what that means).

2. wormwood

The bitter sorrow Laertes feels when his father is killed by Hamlet's hand and his sister is driven mad and to suicide because of heartbreak caused by him, is represented by wormwood. As well, wormwood could represent the absence of his family that had drove him to the state he was in we he chose to duel Hamlet.   

3. mint

Both Polonius and Laertes are suspicious of Hamlet throughout the play. One of the most notable reasons both of them are suspicious about Hamlet's true feelings for Ophelia. Whether he actually loves Ophelia or not actually plauges most of the play's plot and can be symbolozied by mint.

4. nettel

Both men feel the need to protect Ophelia from hamlet, which they have a right todo. Coincidently, both fail to protect themeselves from Hamlet. (I mean the man is possibly crazy why let your guard down?) As one could guess nettle symbolizes prtection, but also life and death. 

PRINCE EMO HIMSELF

The prince of denmark is known for his rather rebellious streak. Despite being supposedly thirty he acts like a teenager with a tendency for not being able to make up his mind and being a nihilist. He is always going on and on about war and death and just being human in general.

1. Roses

Roses tend to be known for their romantic meaning, however, that is not their only meaning. Roses are flower dictated by color; or rather depending on their color they have a different meaning. Hamlet is one to talk about roses and how they are each beautiful but still have thorns. Yeah, Hamlet needs to seek professional help.   

2. Carnations

Carnations are a flower of moods. They representing life, death, sorrow, laughter, greed, and generosity. Well not really but you get the point, there’s plenty of reasons Hamlet is like this flower and plenty of reasons why this flower should be used more often. (for future reference).

The prince of denmark can never make up his mind, just like the flowers that represent him are.

THE PARTNERS IN CRIME

Gertrude and Claudius are the incestous royal pair (and potential murdering duo of King Hamlet *gasp*). They leave readers with one major question: in what world do you marrying your brother-in-law within 2 months of your husband dying? Surely, not this one.

1. Mallow

The entire kingdom is practically convinced that the new king and queen are cosumed by love. Though they may be conviced of that and the mallow flower symboloizes it, I only put it here to talk about the underlying theories of Gertrude and Claudius' relationship. Was Gertrude involved in the murder of King Hamlet? Were Gertrude and Claudius in a sexual relationship before the king's death? Has Gertrude been forced into her position as Claudius' wife? Whether the royal couple is truly inlove or that they are driven entirely by lust (or other factors) readers may never truly know.

2. Plumeria

 At the beginning of the play Claudius and Gertrude get married. Let's give it a chance and be positive for once: plumerias represent new beginnings. 

3. Red dahlia

Betrayal and dishonesty There is obivious betrayal on both Gertrude and Claudius sides,Claudius kills his own brother and Gertrude betrays her wedding vowels by loving another man (the same man who killed his brother and her husband). Following that however, is a possible dishonesty to King Hamlet on Gertrude's part. If she did have a relationship with Claudius prior to King Hamlet's death, she would be cheating which is the equvilent of lying in a relationship.

AFTERNOTE

Over the years and throughout time symbolic meanings have always followed humanity. Flowers are one of the few examples that remains universal and remembered, and maybe by sharing this intresting dip into the world of said symbolism I have in couraged you to take a deeper look into this yourself. Or perhaps, dear reader, I have encouraged you to take a different perspective and think deeper into things than whats only on the surface.