Page 9 - Ophelia's Flowers

Rue

Regret, Repentance, Adultery, Everlasting Suffering

Because of its bitter taste, Rue is known as the symbol of regret
and repentance that an individual feels. It also symbolized adultery

because of its association with abortions during the time in which the
play was written. This flower was given to Gertrude, as well as Ophelia

herself, because of the repentance that each character holds. Ophelia
acknowledges her own transgression in letting go of Hamlet, and her

remorse for the loss of her love—a great renaissance man. Gertrude is
given the flower because of her hastily marriage with Claudius—her late

husband’s brother—and thereby her affairs with him, as well as the
everlasting suffering she must face because of the truth behind Old

Hamlet’s death. As the rue symbolizes, these characters would have
suffered ceaselessly for their misdoings, had they not met an early end to

their lives.

Abigail Williams

Abigail Williams from the Crucible is a character who commits

many transgressions, including her sexual desires and affair with John
Proctor. As a 17 year-old girl, Abigail does not have a strong

conscience, and dives head first into her immediate desires; the result is
a town filled with chaos. To cover up her association with Proctor, as

well as witchcraft, Abigail willingly shoots blame to various people
within her town of Salem. Because of this, many innocent people are

executed, and even Proctor—the love of her life—is killed. Abigail is a
character who was involved in adultery, misused her power, and lost the

love of her life. Clearly, she is condemned to suffer and regret the
decisions she has made; this is why I would give a Rue to Abigail.