Hamlet's Describe Ophelia's Mad Scene Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hamlets Describe Ophelias Mad Scene - Essay ExampleOphelia leaves and re-enters, this time singing of the way her father was buried. Her lyrics are quite meaningful and add the weaknesses of Gertrude and Claudius to the limelight. Her madness is important for Claudius because he thinks it to be the reason for a change in Hamlets attitude. Laertes is provoked by the saddening songs of his sister. Her songs remind Laertes of his killed father. Therefore, his passion to worry revenge of his fathers murder flares up because of ophelias songs. Ophelias indication of the seduction of maids causes the audience to think as if Hamlet has had an affair with her on a physical level, though this mystery remains unresolved throughout the play. Gertrude is particularly disturbed by Ophelias song because inspired Laertes may ill-treat Claudius taking him for the murderer of Polonius. Later, Ophelia offers different flowers to Claudius, Gertrude and Laertes. To Laertes, Ophelia presents Rosemary and Pansies. To Claudius, Ophelia hands over Daisies and Rues and she gives Columbines and Fennel to Gertrude. In Shakespeares age, each of these flowers had standard meanings. Pansies and Rosemary were used to signify remembrance. Thus, by giving Laertes these flowers, Ophelia essentially makes Laertes remember his father and encourages him to take his revenge. Columbines and Fennels signified unfaithfulness and flattery respectively.