''Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples''

''Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples''

[[File:Ragged robin.jpg|left|thumbnail|crowflower a.k.a. ragged robin]]

[[File:Ragged robin.jpg|left|thumbnail|crowflower a.k.a. ragged robin]]

''crowflowers'' - a.k.a. Ragged Robins, ''Lychnis flos-cuculi.''  Also called cuckoo-flowers because they bloom around the same time the cuckoo is heard in spring.  The Latin "flos-cuculi" means "cuckoo flower."  Madness has long been associated with the cuckoo.  So, it provides an instance of the Madness Theme.

''crowflowers'' - a.k.a. Ragged Robins, ''Lychnis flos-cuculi.''  The blossoms are purple.  It is also called cuckoo-flowers because they bloom around the same time the cuckoo is heard in spring.  The Latin "flos-cuculi" means "cuckoo flower."  Madness has long been associated with the cuckoo.  So, it provides an instance of the Madness Theme.

During the course of the play it is subtly revealed that "Robin" is Ophelia's pet name for Hamlet, (particularly in Ophelia's "bonny sweet Robin" line in Scene 16. ([[Scene 16#188]])  When we next see Hamlet, he will be "ragged," wearing "shreds and patches," in Scene 19.  The alternative name, "ragged robin," points directly toward Hamlet.

During the course of the play it is subtly revealed that "Robin" is Ophelia's pet name for Hamlet, (particularly in Ophelia's "bonny sweet Robin" line in Scene 16. ([[Scene 16#188]])  When we next see Hamlet, he will be "ragged," wearing "shreds and patches," in Scene 19.  The alternative name, "ragged robin," points directly toward Hamlet, and is implicitly an instance of the Love Theme.

In the "language of flowers" the ragged robin expresses ardor.  "Ardor" meant lust, the heat of desire, in Middle English.  The word "ardor" goes back to Latin 'ardere' ("to burn.")  Thus, there is also an implicit instance of the Fire Motif.

In the "language of flowers" the ragged robin expresses ardor.  "Ardor" meant lust, the heat of desire, in Middle English.  The word "ardor" goes back to Latin 'ardere' ("to burn.")  Thus, there is also an implicit instance of the Fire Motif.

In folklore, a crowflower under the pillow at night will produce a dream of one's future mate.  By that, the crowflower informs us that Ophelia went to her "sleep" of death dreaming of her Robin, Hamlet.

In folklore, a crowflower under the pillow at night will produce a dream of one's future mate.  By that, the crowflower informs us that Ophelia went to her "sleep" of death dreaming of her Robin, Hamlet.  The crowflower is also thematic on the concepts of sleep and dreams.

(Incidentally, in the Latin name ''Lychnis flos-cuculi'', 'Lychnis' means "lamp," from the use of the leaves of such plants as makeshift lamp wicks, which makes them "lamp plants.")

(Incidentally, in the Latin name ''Lychnis flos-cuculi'', 'Lychnis' means "lamp," from the use of the leaves of such plants as makeshift lamp wicks, which makes them "lamp plants.")

[[File:White dead nettle.jpg|right|white dead nettle, Lamium album]]

[[File:White dead nettle.jpg|right|white dead nettle, Lamium album]]