You can view our. Hamlet refuses to tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern where he has put Poloniuss body. As Gertrude dies, Laertes, himself dying, discloses his and Claudiuss plot against Hamlet. Hamlet makes plans to join them that night. In the painting, Ophelia is surrounded by colorful flowers and plants, symbols of life and continuity, and her body seems to be one with the water; this . The Laertes character is thought . The following characters die in Hamlet: Before the action of the play: . "Pray let's have no words of this; but when they ask, you what it means, say you this: Fortinbras presence is important at the end of the play because it shows the downfall of the kingdom which the ghost had warned Hamlet about in Act 1. The cause of Ophelia's death has been debated over the years. Hamlet's rejection of her was caused by various griefs and stressors caused by men, which resulted in her madness. a. At first, Hamlet thinks that it was the king behind the carpet. While gathering flowers next to a brook, a branch Ophelia uses to support herself breaks, and she falls in; sadly, her clothes, which first enable her to float, become soaked through, and the weight of them drag Ophelia underwater. Ophelia obeys, but her action sends Hamlet into a fit of misogynistic rage. The impression that we see in the story is that Hamlet is one of the oral people in the story. King Hamlet kills Fortinbras Sr. in war. Then Hamlet lies to her saying he never really loved her which made her situation worse. Find teaching resources and opportunities. Alone, Claudius reveals that he is sending Hamlet to his death. King Tut's death has always been a mystery and there has been a lot of theories about it. Ophelias role in the play revolves around her relationships with three men. When hamlet refers to ophelia as a nymph this is an example of? Claudius enlists Laertess willing help in devising another plot against Hamlets life. When Laertes breaks in on Claudius and Gertrude, Claudius asserts his innocence with regard to Polonius's death. It makes sense; she kind of goes cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs after Hamlet kills her father (Polonius), which puts a damper on any prospective wedding plans. Hold, Hold, my heart, And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, But bear me (stiffly) up", Ophelia is grieving the loss of her father after Hamlet kills him. O earth! Madness hamlet essay - Video Hamlet's . Character. Her father never her gave that to her during his lifetime. Polonius rushes off to tell the king. Did she. After Hamlet exits, Claudius decides that Hamlets erratic behavior is not caused by love and announces a plan to send Hamlet on an embassy to England. Millais's image of the tragic death of Ophelia, as she falls into the stream and drowns, is one of the best-known illustrations from Shakespeare's play Hamlet.. She might have been trying to spare Laertes or to diffuse another tantrum on his part. Also, after Hamlet telling Ophelia that she needs to go to a nunnery, Ophelia is a little bit discouraged. Hamlet, horrified, vows to remember and swears his friends to secrecy about what they have seen. This disorder, unlike many other psychological disorders, does not connote insanity, which many viewers are unconcerned about. Shakespeare's purpose of even adding Fortinbras to the play hamlet was to represents Hamlet's foil It can be noted that both past King's death occurred in an act to ain power. Horatio decides to tell his fellow student, Prince Hamlet, about the Ghosts appearance. And of all Christian souls. Shakespeare shows the same message that todays media is showing, young women put way too much of their self worth into the relationship they. Once the wire was in place, Second, I dont think Ophelia actions are justified either. The reappearance of the mad Ophelia is devastating to Laertes. One symbol is the weeping willow. After Hamlet leaves, Claudius rises, saying that he has been unable to pray. Ophelia's darling Hamlet causes all her emotional pain throughout the play, and when his hate is responsible for her father's death, she has endured all that she is capable of enduring and goes insane. "When a man gives his opinion he is a man. The author uses diction that implies that Ophelia figuratively drowns in her own tears. Hamlet stabs the carpet with his sword and Polonius dies. 10. He feels that he must revenge for his father's death in order for him to have peace and to keep his reputation untainted ("Hamlet's revenge," para. This shows that Ophelia isnt easily persuaded, even by her own father. In act 2, scene 2, what use does Hamlet plan to make of the players? But Ophelia has gone mad from learning about her father's death. Hamlet is disgusted by the impurity and falseness of mankind in general and the gentry he is part of specifically, yet he destroys the life and sanity of the most pure and innocent character in the play. She then receives mistreated love from Hamlet that leads her to drowning herself in a river. Summary Of Mark Hitz's Shadehill. There are many positive and immersing ideas executed within this 2023 adaptation. In a series of events, Hamlet kills Polonius and feels no remorse for it. Ophelia was just a muppet for Polonius, Hamlet, and Claudius that did not deserve to end in such a tragic manner. Claudius gets a letter from Hamlet announcing the princes return. The argument is that the people around Ophelia are not to blame for her committing suicide, it is Ophelia's own fault, prompted by the madness surrounding her. As a result, the divergence is a, Military Time 2015 is 08:15 p.m. using 12-hour clock notation and 20:15 p.m. using 24-hour clock notation. Ophelia in Hamlet is a character who is jilted by Hamlet in love, controlled by her brother Laertes and father Polonius, and ultimately broken mentally and drowned to . Hamlet, who has returned safely to confront the king, agrees to a fencing match with Ophelias brother, Laertes, who secretly poisons his own rapier. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. It also makes Hamlets death seem heroic and noble in comparison because he died fighting for what he believed. The painting was part of the original Henry Tate Gift in 1894. Hamlets entrance so alarms Gertrude that she cries out for help. What does Hamlet swear to do after his conversation with the Ghost? Hamlet's madness came first from seeing the ghost of his father. Her clothes spread wide;And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up:Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes;As one incapable of her own distress,Or like a creature native and induedUnto that element: but long it could not beTill that her garments, heavy with their drink,Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious layTo muddy death.". When the king of Denmark, Prince Hamlets father, suddenly dies, Hamlets mother, Gertrude, marries his uncle Claudius, who becomes the new king.A spirit who claims to be the ghost of Hamlets father describes his murder at the hands of Claudius and demands that Hamlet avenge the killing. from the garden. Alack and fie for shame, II,1,1043. In an audience chamber in Elsinore, Claudius, the new king of Denmark, holds court. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Killed by Hamlet while Polonius is hiding behind an arras spying on Hamlet and Gertrude. Support us to bring Shakespeare and his world to life for everyone. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. In his fumbled plan for revenge, Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, forces Polonius's son Laertes to seek revenge against him, and drives Ophelia crazy causing her to kill herself. Hamlet, who has returned safely to confront the king, agrees to a fencing match with Ophelias brother, Laertes, who secretly poisons his own rapier. Why doesnt Hamlet kill Claudius right away? The glassy stream could possibly represent her fragile, "glassy" mental state or her stream of tears. Hire writer. Dive deep into the worlds largest Shakespeare collection and access primary sources from the early modern period. Our doors are reopening in Fall 2023! Ophelia (/ f i l i /) is a character in William Shakespeare's drama Hamlet (1599-1601). On the guards platform at Elsinore, Horatio waits with Barnardo and Marcellus to question a ghost that has twice before appeared. Love what most people view as a physical affection or attachment towards someone.Is there really a pacific way to show someone that you're in love with them.When it comes to love most people are afraid of showing someone that they love them because they're afraid of getting hurt or for the other person getting hurt. pauline taylor seeley cause of death; how does this poem differ from traditional sonnets interflora; airmessage vs blue bubbles; southside legend strain effects; abd insurance and financial services; valenzuela city ordinance violation fines; my summer car cheatbox; vfs global japan visa nepal contact number; beaver owl fox dolphin personality . Thus, there is a conceptual affinity between Polonius's hamartia and his death while Or Shakespeare decided to up the ante on Hamlet's guilt. Hamlets burial serves as an opportunity for him to express his powerful love for her, which is one of the few clear and honest expressions of his love in the play, as well as to set up a conflict between him and Laertes, which will culminate in his death. Some have argued that his madness was indeed an act, but rather real madness that he was trying to cover up by telling people, As the play progressed many things started changing when both her father and brother demand her to stop seeing Hamlet. When down her weedy trophies and herselfFell in the weeping brook. Killed by Claudius in the garden while napping. That ought to make a person really nervous when they see a ghost and the ghost says that you have to kill the king. Hamlet soon realizes that the corpse is Ophelias. However, this hasnt stopped literary scholars from advancing the concept of an incestuous relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude using Freuds concept of the Oedipus complex. Then after all this her father, Polinous, is murdered by Hamlet. Gertrude says she fell into the water, others think she jumped and drowned. Of the occurrences leading up to the this, the most . Hamlet reacts in the same way that a boyfriend would. She speaks in riddles and rhymes, as well as singing some mad and wacky songs about death and a maidens loss of virginity. In this way, her legacy is stained with shame and her innocence is lost. Then, Hamlet's erratic behavior and Polonius's death cause Ophelia to go mad. Just like Hamlet, the medieval precept that the father's word is unquestionable governs Ophelia. Already a member? Gertrude reports Poloniuss death to Claudius, who sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and recover the body. While her father is telling Claudius and Gertrude about his theory, Ophelia continuously tries to take the letter away from him. In addition, he wanted to do this because Hamlet had a love relationship with his sister. When Hamlet himself enters, he is confronted first by Polonius and then by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, whom he quickly identifies as Claudiuss spies. Purchasing Hamlet is challenged by Laertes in a duel when he learns of the death of Ophelia. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Who tells Ophelia that Hamlet's love is fleeting? To become a nun c. To obey her father d. To uphold her domestic . You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Little by little, the revelations come with the aid of his father's ghost. The third one being Ophelia. Polonius echoes her cry, and Hamlet, thinking Polonius to be Claudius, stabs him to death. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. There are three theories I believed that have caused King Tut's death. A court gentleman reports that Ophelia has become pitiably insane. Accessed 4 Mar. The willow being aslant represents Ophelias descent into madness. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Her father's death would have been traumatic, of course, but the fact that . Being raised with just men in her life she has no idea how to go about dealing with Hamlet and his mixed feelings. It is one of the most quoted works of literature in the world, and since . The Ghost tells Hamlet a tale of horror. The nature of Ophelia's death makes the situation even more tragic: an apparent suicide. Support us to bring Shakespeare and his world to life for everyone. His hurry in doing things also leads him to damnation just like Hamlet. Our April festival celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare's First Folio, Our award-winning performances of Shakespeare, adaptations, and new works, Our early music ensemble Folger Consort and more, Our longstanding O.B. Hamlet did not sleep with his mother, in fact. 2. Hamlet persuades one of them to deliver a speech, and recognizes, to his shame, that he has shown less intensity in avenging his fathers murder than the actor has done in performance. Instead, after realizing that Hamlets quest for vengeance against King Claudius could be dangerous to her own health, she deduces that she is pregnant with Hamlets baby Ophelia, faking her drowning death. In the aftermath of her father's death, Ophelia goes mad with grief and drowns in the river. How does Hamlets view of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern change? There is a willow grows aslant a brook, That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream., The weeping willow was a specific choice by the author to convey her grief, or her weeping. There were not two but three things in the play that caused Hamlet to be depressed. Osric enters to ask, on Claudiuss behalf, that Hamlet fence with Laertes. "Hamlet: I humbly thank you; well, well, well. Hamlet tries to find out who the grave is for and reflects on the skulls that are being dug up. This means he was worried of being burnt . Latest answer posted December 18, 2020 at 11:36:35 AM. When Laertes breaks in on Claudius and Gertrude, Claudius asserts his innocence with regard to Poloniuss death. Updated on July 23, 2019. Ophelias death represents a life spent passively tolerating Hamlets manipulations and restrictions, while also struggling to maintain her dignity. Free trial is available to new customers only. Ophelia takes her collection of flowers with her when she dies, When down her weedy trophies and herself fell in the weeping brook.. What did Hamlet think of Ophelias death? The queen blames Hamlet for such a bad deed and he tells her that her marrying the murderer of the king is also a bad deed. In "Hamlet," the assumption most people make is that Ophelia commits suicide. In the play her father tells her that she is to stay away from Hamlet and she readily agrees. The cause of Ophelias death has been debated over the years, was it a suicide, That does not help the fact that Ophelia needs guidance and wisdom. It signals to Hamlet. Gertrude refuses to see the girl, but Horatio points out that Ophelia's mental state may attract undue attention to herself and the crown. | Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. She is discouraged because Hamlet had told her before that if Ophelia would sleep with him that they would get married. Gertrude interrupts their plotting to announce that Ophelia has drowned. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Ophelias relationships with these men restrict her agency and eventually lead to her death. Hamlet decides to kill Claudius when the king is committing a sin so that Claudius will instead go to hell. Hamlet gives direction to the actors and asks Horatio to help him observe Claudiuss reaction to the play. The drowning of the flowers symbolizes the death of her innocence, as she has committed suicide. She spirals into madness in Act Four and dies in ambiguous circumstances. without line numbers, as DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) As Gertrude dies, Laertes, himself dying, discloses his and Claudiuss plot against Hamlet. 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. As they talk, a company of touring actors enters. Dorian Zev Kweller was the son of Ben Kweller, a famous singer and songwriter. When the councilor Polonius learns from his daughter, Ophelia, that Hamlet has visited her in an apparently distracted state, Polonius attributes the princes condition to lovesickness, and he sets a trap for Hamlet using Ophelia as bait.To confirm Claudiuss guilt, Hamlet arranges for a play that mimics the murder; Claudiuss reaction is that of a guilty man. Hamlet then verbally attacks his mother for marrying Claudius. "O all you host heaven! This is a pretty obvious theory and a commonly held one by many critics. Hamlet is at first courteous to Ophelia, but suddenly he turns on her: he denies having loved her, asks where her father is, attacks womankind, and tells her she should enter a nunnery. Hamlet is at first courteous to Ophelia, but suddenly he turns on her: he denies having loved her, asks where her father is, attacks womankind, and tells her she should enter a nunnery. Fortinbras (in proposing the duel) and King Hamlet (in accepting it) alike. Hamlets closing scene restores order and a fitting ending for the plot. Discover Shakespeares stories and the world that shaped them. Why does Laertes break into Claudiuss chamber? The Ghost, in the form of the late King Hamlet of Denmark, appears but will not speak. _____ What does Laertes tell Ophelia? A funeral procession approaches. If Ophelia's intentions were to kill herself, she would likely either poison or stab herself, as they are . Include at least one plot event that causes Ophelia to change. Hamlet is seen contemplating death and becomes ready to even die at the end of the play. She in no way fought for her life and simply gave into the eternal sleep. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report their failure to find the cause of Hamlets madness, Polonius places Ophelia where he and Claudius may secretly observe a meeting between her and Hamlet. Did she drown? The ghost of his father told him that Hamlet needed to avenge his death by killing Claudius. The Hamlet is sent away to England All of these actions result in her feeling such stress that she becomes insane in the end. Later in the play but before her funeral, a sexton proposes she committed suicide, but this is neither confirmed nor denied. During the time that this play was written women were viewed as insignificant human beings. William Shakespeare's famous work " Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" is a tragedy set across five acts written around the year 1600. He tells Hamlet to stop grieving for his father's death, and to think of him as his father. The ghost of his father told him that Hamlet needed to avenge his death by killing Claudius. Ophelia's actions in the scenes leading up to her death suggest it, but in truth it was caused by a terrible accident. Log in here. Our April festival celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare's First Folio, Our award-winning performances of Shakespeare, adaptations, and new works, Our early music ensemble Folger Consort and more, Our longstanding O.B. In the middle of Hamlets attack, the Ghost returns to remind Hamlet that his real purpose is to avenge his fathers death. Ophelia's link with Hamlet's mission from the ghost . "Explain Ophelia's death in Hamlet." Polonius's hamartia is deception, specifically his effort to investigate Hamlet's madness and "by indirections find directions out" (2.1.65). Ophelia has gone mad at her next appearance after her fathers death, due to what the other characters perceive as grief for her father. Ophelia is described, As [being] one incapable of her own distress, or like a creature native and indued unto that element.. Ophelia enters, deeply disturbed about a visit she has just had from an apparently mad Hamlet. However, since Hamlet's mind suffers the corruption of Claudius' crimes, Claudius can be named responsible for Ophelia's fall. Polonius joins them, sends Laertes off, then echoes Laertess warnings to Ophelia, finally ordering her not to see Hamlet again. The traveling actors perform, in dumb show and then with dialogue, a story that includes many elements of Claudiuss alleged seduction of Gertrude and murder of King Hamlet. Ophelia. The third theory was a chariot crash. At the moment that the Player King is murdered in his garden by his nephew, Claudius stops the play and rushes out. However, as the question of Hamlets state of mind increasingly dire, Polonius tightens the reins on his daughter. Hamlet hopes that when the players stage The Murder of Gonzago for the court, he can determine whether Claudius is guilty of King Hamlets death. The audience learns that the marriage took place within a month of the former kings death.Horatio, Barnardo, and Marcellus arrive and tell Hamlet about the Ghost. Polonius's son, Laertes, who has been staying in France, returns to Denmark in a rage. Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to Paris to question Laertess acquaintances. Laertes agrees to kill Hamlet with a poisoned rapier in a fencing match. There is no mention of a struggle or resistance or shouts for help, which would all make sense if Ophelia was trying to stay alive, so maybe death was a welcome outlet for her. Wed love to have you back! In Hamlet, Ophelia is a young woman who is in love with Prince Hamlet. As a result, we can see that he had reason to blame her death. After the Ghost exits, Hamlet urges Gertrude to abandon Claudiuss bed. What impact did Ophelias death have on Hamlet? Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Hamlet persuades one of them to deliver a speech, and recognizes, to his shame, that he has shown less intensity in avenging his fathers murder than the actor has done in performance. Ophelias tragedy stems from the fact that she loses her innocence for no apparent reason. But the two main reasons why Hamlet is depressed are the death of his father and the remarriage of his mother to his uncle. Spoonies eat more rice and fewer shrimpy or, Individual identities, such as beliefs, assumptions, perceptions, attitudes, values, feelings, and group norms, are mostly centred on tertiary dimensions. The placement of the priest's admonition supports the suicide pretty solidly. Could Ophelia have broken it off while trying to hang on against the current? Polonius. She always believe that Hamlet loved her as well as her father and was just the messenger to her both of them conquer what they really wanted. meaning that a tree branch was found near the body. The circumstances surrounding her death muddy her reputation, Nature her custom holds, Let shame say what it will: when these are gone, The woman will be out.. Gertrude then agrees to speak with Ophelia. In her madness, she wanders around the palace singing songs about death and flowers. Ophelia is corrupted due to Hamlet rejecting her and killing her father. Ophelia: My lord, I have remembrances of yours. Ophelia dies in act IV, somewhere between scene V and scene VII. Deepen your understanding of his works and their cultural influence. When she dies, Gertrude reports her death to Claudius and Laertes. Shakespeare probably meant to keep his readers wondering: Did she commit suicide? Immediately after Hamlet exits, dragging Polonius ' body, we see Claudius asking Gertrude to explain what has happened. Hamlet, returned from his journey, comes upon a gravedigger singing as he digs. The church at the time regarded suicide as a mortal sin. What is Ophelias brothers name in Hamlet? While it is evident that Ophelia is grieving over the death of her father, Polonius, as Horatio says of her "She speaks much of her father, says she hears / There's tricks in the . Want 100 or more? By looking at Gertrude's over protective relationship with Hamlet, her lack of . Hamlet quickly sees through the scheme and begins to act the part of a madman in front of them. His surprise, on the other hand, puts him in danger. Learn about the building renovation and start planning your visit. Claudius and Laertes conspire to kill Hamlet during the match. Answer (1 of 9): Ophelia climbed a willow tree and the branch she was on broke, dropping her into a stream, where she drowned. Hamlet promises himself that he will not harm her, though he will speak daggers.. Gertrude is shocked. In the meantime, find us online and on the road. From the first scene of the play, when the ghost of Hamlets father introduces the concept of death and its consequences, death pervades Hamlet. The ghost represents a break with the accepted social order, a theme that can be seen in Denmarks volatile socio-political situation and Hamlets own indifference. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Hamlet was in a distant land, so he could not have done it himself. Hamlet's views on love could be ruined because of his mother's relationship with his father and how she got over him so quickly and married his uncle Claudius.Hamlet is also protecting Ophelia from getting hurt with his plans of revenge or protecting her from his uncle knowing he would use her as a way of hurting him. Ophelia starts to go mad dealing with the problem of choosing between her fathers wishes and her true. Her disconnection from reality is shown in her lack of concentration and attention span. Quoth she, Before you tumbled me, Ophelia responds with these few words, implying that Hamlet's actions both in the past and the present indicate that he did love her and likely still does. Ophelia takes her collection of flowers with her when she dies, " When down her weedy trophies and herself fell in the weeping brook.". Dive deep into the worlds largest Shakespeare collection and access primary sources from the early modern period. A funeral procession approaches. How do these ideas relate to theme? Hamlet tries to find out who the grave is for and reflects on the skulls that are being dug up. However, Hamlet is heir to the throne of Denmark and is promised to another woman, Ophelia's rival Polonius's daughter, Polonius. Hamlet feels no guilt for Polonius' murder, and this is why karma hits him back. Laertes agrees to kill Hamlet with a poisoned rapier in a fencing match. marries old husband's brother, more loyal to . The combination of her former lover's cruelty and her father's death sends Ophelia into a fit of grief. This shows how destructive and evil minded he has become. What were Ophelia's last words? Hamlet's dearest friend, Horatio, agrees with him that Claudius has unambiguously confirmed his guilt. This theory may be supported by her grief ove. The combination of her former lovers cruelty and her fathers death sends Ophelia into a fit of grief. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Ophelia is one of the most popular Pre-Raphaelite works in the Tate collection. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Framing Ophelia: Representation and the Pictorial Tradition, Grinning Death's-Head: Hamlet and the Vision of the Grotesque, Mourning and Misogyny: Hamlet, The Revenger's Tragedy, and the Final Progress of Elizabeth I, 1600-1607, Nobler in the Mind: The Dialect in Hamlet, The 'Heart of My Mystery': Hamlet and Secrets, The First Quarto of Hamlet: Reforming Widow Gertred. Gertrude could have not known the whole truth when she reported to Laertes and Claudius. While doing so, she slipped and fell into the brook. Ophelia's cause of death is drowning, but the circumstances around her drowning, according to Queen Gertrude, are definitely odd. He then tells her about Claudiuss plan to send him to England and reveals his suspicions that the journey is a plot against him, which he resolves to counter violently. The most spiteful of these misfortunes is the death innocent Ophelia, lover of Hamlet and daughter of Polonius. In the play it is very obvious that he is heartless towards the opposite sex by the actions that he takes and the words that he speaks. The Pre-Raphaelites focused on serious and significant subjects and were best known for . If he fails, Claudius will give Hamlet a poisoned cup of wine. After Ophelia has gone, Claudius agonizes over her madness and over the stir created by the return of an angry Laertes. When Laertes in his grief leaps into her grave and curses Hamlet as the cause of Ophelias death, Hamlet comes forward. In the midst of her inner turmoil, her depression worsens as she learns that Hamlet, the man she loves departs to England. Which is shown by Ophelia very clearly. This preview shows page 2 - 4 out of 6 pages. An envious sliver broke. Hamlet makes plans to join them that night. Gertrude interrupts their plotting to announce that Ophelia has drowned. This creates a foil to Hamlet's character who died fighting for what he believed in and refused to let people go against what he thought was morally right. According to Heather Brown, Ophelia "is Polonius' pawn, Laertes' chaste sister, and Hamlet's lover. After Ophelia died, he expresses his love for her again to Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius, saying, I loved Ophelia.. Ophelia has a connection to flowers and in specifically to violets. Laertes / l e r t i z / is a character in William Shakespeare's c. 1600 play Hamlet.Laertes is the son of Polonius and the brother of Ophelia.In the final scene, he mortally stabs Hamlet with a poison-tipped sword to avenge the deaths of his father and sister, for which he blamed Hamlet.