Name___________________________________________ Period_______ Hamlet: A¢ IV, Scene v The “language of flowers” reached its peak during the nineteenth century when a basic knowledge of it was part of a middle- or upper-class woman’s education. However, the idea that different flowers had symbolic meanings dates at least to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. When Ophelia distributes flowers to various characters in Act IV, scene v, she conveys messages to them through her choices and the Elizabethan audience would have understood those messages. To her brother Laertes she hands rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), representing remembrance and faithfulness, and pansies (Viola tricolor), representing thoughts and faithfulness. To Claudius she hands fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), representing flattery, and columbines (Aquilegia vulgaris), representing male adultery and ingratitude. To Gertrude she hands rue (Ruta graveolens), representing adultery and genuine repentance of “Ophelia Among the Flowers” all transgressions. Ophelia also uses rue’s alternate by Odilon Redon name, herb of grace, so called because priests used (c. 1905–1908) it in exorcisms. She keeps some rue for herself and perhaps it is not coincidence that rue was used extensively in the medieval and Renaissance eras as an abortifacient. The meaning of the daisy (Bellis perenis) is disputed; some sources (including our text) state that the daisy represents dissembling. But others suggest that the daisy represents innocence, which is why Ophelia fails to give it to anyone but instead puts it back in her basket. Finally, Ophelia notes that all the violets (Viola odorata), representing fidelity, withered when Polonius died. 1. What do we learn about the state of Gertrude’s soul in her aside (IV.v.22– 25)? What does this say about how she has responded to Hamlet’s accusations and recommendations in III.iv? 2. The people at court assume Ophelia’s madness is caused by her father’s death. Judging from her songs, are they correct? Could there be other causes? What else is on her mind and coming to the surface in her madness? 3. What is Laertes’ approach to avenging his father’s death? How does it compare to Hamlet’s? How much support does he have? Whom does he initially blame? 4. What is being threatened as Laertes enters (IV.v.121)? How well does Claudius handle this emergency? 5. How does Laertes respond to Ophelia in her madness? What does Claudius offer in order to change Laertes’ focus? .