Ophelia's Flowers
In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” Ophelia uses flowers to highlight the flaws of the royal court and to express her complex personality and desires, which become distorted by societal expectations. Each flower she mentions carries its own meaning: rosemary symbolizes remembrance, pansies represent thoughts, fennel indicates flattery, columbines signify foolishness, rue stands for regret, and daisies embody innocence.
Her use of flower symbolism also connects to the play's themes surrounding women’s issues. Ophelia descends into madness as she struggles to fit into a male-dominated world. When she drowns, she is discovered among flowers, symbolizing everything she was and everything she could have become. Through Ophelia, Shakespeare addresses a timeless issue once again.
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” Ophelia uses flowers to highlight the flaws of the royal court and to express her complex personality and desires, which become distorted by societal expectations. Each flower she mentions carries its own meaning: rosemary symbolizes remembrance, pansies represent thoughts, fennel indicates flattery, columbines signify foolishness, rue stands for regret, and daisies embody innocence.
Her use of flower symbolism also connects to the play's themes surrounding women’s issues. Ophelia descends into madness as she struggles to fit into a male-dominated world. When she drowns, she is discovered among flowers, symbolizing everything she was and everything she could have become. Through Ophelia, Shakespeare addresses a timeless issue once again.
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” Ophelia uses flowers to highlight the flaws of the royal court and to express her complex personality and desires, which become distorted by societal expectations. Each flower she mentions carries its own meaning: rosemary symbolizes remembrance, pansies represent thoughts, fennel indicates flattery, columbines signify foolishness, rue stands for regret, and daisies embody innocence.
Her use of flower symbolism also connects to the play's themes surrounding women’s issues. Ophelia descends into madness as she struggles to fit into a male-dominated world. When she drowns, she is discovered among flowers, symbolizing everything she was and everything she could have become. Through Ophelia, Shakespeare addresses a timeless issue once again.
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
