Ophelia is not a flower. Ophelia is a character in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. She is a young noblewoman and the daughter of Polonius, the chief advisor to the king. Ophelia’s character is complex and tragic, as she becomes the victim of circumstances and her own fragile mental state.
In the play, Ophelia is depicted as a gentle and innocent young woman who is caught in the midst of the political intrigue and power struggles of the Danish court. She is deeply in love with Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, but their relationship is complicated by his feigned madness and his conflicting feelings towards her.
Ophelia’s mental state deteriorates throughout the play, culminating in her tragic death by drowning. Her death is often associated with flowers, particularly the imagery of the “Long Purple” mentioned by Shakespeare. This reference to the Long Purple is symbolic and adds to the overall theme of death and decay in the play.
The Long Purple that Shakespeare refers to is believed to be the Common Purple Orchis, a wildflower found in various natural habitats such as woods, meadows, and pastures. This flower is known for its tall stems and purple flowers, which may have led to its association with death and funeral rituals.
The use of the Long Purple in Ophelia’s death scene adds to the macabre and haunting imagery surrounding her demise. It suggests the idea of the beauty and fragility of life being contrasted with the inevitability of death.
It is worth noting that Shakespeare often used floral imagery in his plays to convey deeper meanings and symbolism. Flowers are frequently used as metaphors for various aspects of human experience, such as love, beauty, and mortality. In the case of Ophelia, the flowers serve as a visual representation of her mental and emotional state, as well as a reminder of the transient nature of life.
Ophelia is not a flower, but rather a tragic character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The reference to the Long Purple in the play adds to the overall themes of death and decay, as well as the fragility of life. The specific flower mentioned is believed to be the Common Purple Orchis, a wildflower with tall stems and purple flowers.