Hamlet

In Hamlet, the plants Shakespeare uses underscore themes of death, decay, and the friction of appearance versus reality. Ophelia’s distribution of flowers, such as rosemary for remembrance and pansies for thoughts, symbolizes her emotional turmoil and reflects the intricacies of love and betrayal. When she mentions "weeds," it signifies corruption and the moral decay of the court following King Hamlet’s death. Additionally, the poisonous "hemlock" in Hamlet’s world evokes the lethal consequences of ambition and vengeance. Overall, these plant references enrich the play's exploration of madness, mortality, and the complexities of human relationships.