ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Weeds are mentioned (by Hamlet especially) in reference to disgust, and violets for brevity and frailty. Each flower used has meaning, and they’re used most symbolically in Ophelia’s speech where she offers flowers to certain characters: Rosemary for remembrance and pansies for thoughts are given to Laertes.

Detailed explanation-2: -Weeds in Hamlet In Act 1, Scene 2, Hamlet describes the world as “an unweeded garden that grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature possess it merely.” The weeds are a symbol of corruption and decay. Hamlet is grieving his father’s death and disturbed by his mother’s quick remarriage to his uncle, Claudius.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ophelia uses flowers as symbols of her deep sorrow and grief. She is very upset because her father, Polonius, has just been killed by Hamlet. Being a sensitive and intelligent young woman, Ophelia needs to express herself, and she does so by passing out flowers to the court in her seeming mad state of mind.

Detailed explanation-4: -Ophelia gives fennel, symbol of flattery, to King Claudius. She also gives him columbine for ingratitude and infidelity. Rue, for sorrow, she gives to Gertrude; she also offers Gertrude daisy, for springtime and love, and says she lost her own violets, which represent sweetness, when her father died.

Detailed explanation-5: -Shakespeare’s Hamlet Shakespeare loved to use weeds and wildflowers to drive the plot and add colour to his plays. In Hamlet, Ophelia hands out plants including fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), daisies (Bellis perennis), rue (Ruta graveolens) and violets (Viola), which held multiple meanings.