All of these flowers are also given to Laertes, when the play is correctly done.  This is an encounter between Laertes and Ophelia following the death of their father.  It's a family matter, even if Laertes can't grasp it.  Gertrude and Claudius are "audience to this act," to quote from the last Scene.  They are watching, and wondering what it all means.

All of these flowers are also given to Laertes, when the play is correctly done.  This is an encounter between Laertes and Ophelia following the death of their father.  It's a family matter, even if Laertes can't grasp it.  Gertrude and Claudius are "audience to this act," to quote from the last Scene.  They are watching, and wondering what it all means.

''fennel'' - ''Foeniculum vulgare.''  It has tiny yellow flowers.  Hardly worth calling a flower at all, it is primarily a culinary herb.

''fennel'' - ''Foeniculum vulgare.''  It has tiny yellow flowers.  Hardly worth calling a flower at all, it is a culinary herb, and a medicinal herb.

Ophelia's meaning with the ''fennel'' is "open your eyes," "see clearly."  Fennel is used in herbal medicine as an eye remedy, or to preserve eyesight.  (Gerard, ''Herbal,'' page 1032.)

Ophelia's meaning with the ''fennel'' is "open your eyes," "see clearly."  Fennel is used in herbal medicine as an eye remedy, or to preserve eyesight.  (Gerard, ''Herbal,'' page 1032.)

Ophelia is telling Laertes to open his eyes, and see that these flowers have meaning.  It is reasonable to take it that she is also trying to tell him to open his eyes to things in general.  The ''fennel'' provides an implicit instance of the Vision Motif in the play.

Ophelia is telling Laertes to open his eyes, and see that these flowers have meaning.  It is reasonable to take it that she is also trying to tell him to open his eyes to things in general.  The ''fennel'' provides an implicit instance of the Vision Motif in the play.

''columbines'' - The name is from Latin 'columba' ("dove.")  The color is purple and white.

The color is purple and white.

In the language of flowers, the columbine expresses "folly," or, "you're a fool."

In the language of flowers, the columbine expresses "folly," or, "you're a fool." Ophelia is calling Laertes a fool, who is engaged in folly.  After Laertes said, above, that he would "dare damnation" to get revenge, in other words, throw away his soul, one cannot help but think Ophelia is right.  Ophelia was not present to hear Laertes say that, but she knows her brother.