Certainly
Ophelia seems to be grieving over the loss of her father, but it seems she is actually
trying to ignore the fact that he is gone. She says, “Pray let’s have no words
of this...” (4.5. 51), in response to Claudius talking about the death of her
father. I believe the real reason for Ophelia’s insanity is the fact that
Hamlet rejected her. She states that “Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s Day” and
she talks about her being “a maid” waiting “to be your Valentine” (4.5.53). Here she seems as though she is
trying to move on from the heartbreak of Hamlet, but struggles to cope with reality.
When
Ophelia enters with her basket of flowers I think that she would hand the
Rosemary to Gertrude (symbolizing remembrance) because I think she would want
her to remember her husband before he was murdered. This is something Hamlet
would have wanted as well. This is shown in his speech when he says to
Gertrude, “Look here upon this picture and on this…”(3.4.64). Hamlet is forcing
his mother to remember his dead father. The Pansies would have been given to
Claudius because I think Ophelia would want him to reflect (a.k.a think) about
some of the actions he has made. For example, setting up someone to murderer
Hamlet, marrying Gertrude, and killing his brother. I think the fennel and
columbines should be kept for her. These represent adultery and Ophelia has
certainly not represented the ideal woman. Earlier in the novel Hamlet
proclaims, “Get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.131).
The
rue flower (symbolizing repentance) would most likely be given to Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern. They proclaim their honor and respect for Hamlet by saying, “O,
my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly” (3.2. 378-379). They
are showing that they will do anything that he pleads. They both have made sacrifices
per Claudius’ orders, but they were Hamlet’s friends and never caused harm to
anyone, therefore are simply seeking forgiveness. A daisy (representing unhappy
love) will be given to the imaginary body of Hamlet. He is obviously not
present in this scene, but if he were he would be given these because he is
unhappy with Ophelia’s love towards him and even his mothers. The final flower,
a violet (faithfulness) would go to Laertes because he has been the most
trustworthy (not crazy) character we have seen so far.
When
distributing the flowers it seems as though Ophelia would give them to the
people based on their meaning. She might throw Claudius,’ hand Laertes his,
toss Gertrude’s ect… I would arrange the scene with them also standing in a
half circle around her to show that she is the center and that they are all
focused on her. This idea is very similar the last judgment (in heaven).
I do agree with Matt and believe that the experiences that Ophelia has recently been subjected too lead to her eventual loss of sanity. I think that it was the combination of having to first reject Hamlet, to then being rejected by him, and before she could even get her own opinions out to her father he was murdered. It seems as if Ophelia is constantly being subjected to having her voice muffled and never getting the chance to express how she feels. With these kinds of pressures constantly baring down on her it is understandable as to why she goes 'mad' eventually. When she finally gets the chance to express herself she sings a song that expresses how she feels. She sings, "How should I your true love know From another one?" (4.5.24-25) showing how she herself wants to know love for herself and not always be told who to love and how to love. This combined with the death of her father Ophelia finally is starting to express herself more so through grief than she ever had the chance to do before.
ReplyDeleteLike Hamlet Ophelia had been putting on an 'act' of obedience and compliance to not only her father and brother but also to Hamlet and maybe eve herself. However when these barriers are gone, due to the death of her father, and the rejection of Hamlet, Ophelia can finally begin to express herself like Hamlet did once he was alone with his mother.
As for the flowers, I would make a few changes as to whom recieved which. I think the violet which represents faithfulness should be kept by Ophelia. Due to her constant obeying of both her father and brother often replying with "I shall obey , my lord" (1.4.141) and hushing her own voice as to please her father and brother despite what she believes. The daisy which representing unhappy love should be given to Old Hamlet. Once he dies his 'one true love' marries another within the "two months" (3.2.127) of his death and not only simply remarries but marries her deceased husband's brother. This is one of the worst possibilities, for dead Hamlet as his spirit is still visible and can see all that is going on. To make matters even worse it is his own brother who "stole, with juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, and in the porches of my ears did pour the leperous distilment; who" (1.5.67-70) committed a "murder most foul" (1.5.31). As for the rue flower, I think that this flower should go to Rosencrantz and Guilderstern as they do feel bad for betraying their friend, however the entire time they did have the best intentions of helping their friend. Finally for the rosemaries and pansies, I think that they should go to Hamlet as he is constantly bombarded with both thoughts and remembrance. The entire reason behind him loosing his sanity and putting on an act is to avenge his fathers death. He says that because of his father's death he has the "cause, and will, and strength, and means" (4.4.47) to get revenge on Claudius; however without his father's memory bombarding Hamlet's thoughts he would not be planning to commit Claudius' murder.