The Garden

The Garden

In order to rot, one must first be fresh. In order for there to be evil, there must first be good. In order to die, one must first be born. Thus, the natural state of mankind revolves, as does a garden. William Shakespeare makes this point abundantly clear in his play Hamlet. Using a minor character, Marcellus, Shakespeare proclaims, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” Applying this quote to human nature and the continued illusion to a garden, one could compare that the “rotten” state of Denmark to the cyclical characteristics of the play’s characters.

For the people of Denmark, plants are used to symbolize them. From its weeds to its flowers all components are parallel with Denmark. When Hamlet claims that Gertrude “calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose from the fair forehead of an innocent love and sets a blister there…” (III.iv.43-45) he is referring to Gertrude’s quick remarriage after King Hamlet’s death. She claims to be upset over the loss of her husband, yet she is so quick to fall right back in love with not just anyone, but her late husband’s brother. This act of almost incest is almost like a weed, ruining the perfect garden.

From when the garden is in full bloom and when the garden is dissipating, Denmark makes the same progress. Imagery of sick and distasteful plants, in place of the traditional beautiful flowers in a garden, "'Tis an unweeded garden that grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature possess it merely." (I.ii.135-137). Claudius, in this case, is the “weed.” He makes the state of Demark a poor sight to see. The whole state is disgusted but will not say anything for fear that they will be killed. Hamlet also tells Gertrude to “not spread the compost on the weeds…” (III.iv.158) meaning do not encourage Claudius any more than you can get away with. He knows that the “rotten” in the state of Demark is indeed his uncle, but is waiting for the right time to strike.

When there is a suicide victims mingled with the god-fearing dead, the garden is ruined. Ophelia almost begs for someone to understand what she has been going through.