Ophelia's Flowers

Ophelia by Alexandre Cabanel, 1883

Ophelia's Bouquet

  
"There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. 
 Pray you, love, remember.
 And there is pansies, that’s for thoughts ...
There’s fennel for you, and columbines.

There’s rue for you, and here’s some for me. 
We may call it “herb of grace” o' Sundays.
- Oh, you must wear your rue with a difference.
There’s a daisy. I would give you some violets, 
But they withered all when my father died."

- Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

Rosemary and Rue

Rosemary and Rue, herbs that on two occasions Shakespeare placed near to one another.

“For you there’s rosemary and rue …
Grace and remembrance be to you both,”

- The Winter’s Tale, Act IV, Scene 3

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you love, remember ...

  there’s rue for you, and here’s some for me: we may call it herb-grace o’ Sundays: 

O, you must wear your rue with a difference”

- Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

 

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalus)

Rosemary in bloom

Strewing Herbs

Part of the purpose of a medieval and Elizabethan garden was to provide the household with strewing herbs. In medieval dwellings floors were carpeted with rushes, reeds or straw, for insulation and to provide bedding for members of the lower household. They also served to soak up spillages and dropped food. However, these floor coverings were only cleaned out and replaced once or twice a year, so to counteract the accumulated odours fragrant herbs were scattered (strewn) on top of them, releasing their scents when they were walked upon. Some of these herbs also acted as insect and pest repellants.

Shakespeare Fragrances and Perfumes

Here are a few ideas on how to create your own Shakespeare inspired fragrance, with the herbal oils and flower essences that are associated with a play or with an individual character. Let's start with the tragic heroine Ophelia.

Ophelia by Ernest Hébert