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Introduction
Assignment
NYS Standards

Ophelia's Flowers

Lesson by:Dara Ross
The Brooklyn International High School
9th and 10th Grade Humanities


There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray,
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-grace o' Sundays: O 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: they say he made a good end,--
--Ophelia, Act IV, Scene V, Hamlet
Thingiverse:thing:17580

Aim

How can we analyze Ophelia's flowers?



Objective

Students will use tinkercad.com and to analyze and recreate the flowers that Ophelia talks about in her mad speech from Act IV, Scene V of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.



Materials Needed

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  • Computers with internet access
  • Tinkercad.com (free)
  • Makerbot




Description

While reading the play Hamlet students will study and analyze Ophelia's flower speech from Act IV, Scene V. What do the flowers symbolize for Ophelia? Why did Shakespeare/Ophelia choose these flowers? First, have the students fill out the Ophelia's Flowers Research Guide. They need to research and report on the flowers meaning, uses and origin as well as draw each flower. Next the student’s need to decide who Ophelia gives each flower to, as Shakespeare does not give us specific stage directions. Finally, students use their research and drawings to recreate Ophelia's flowers using Tinkercad.



Assessment

- Rubric



Extensions-

  • Students can use construction paper and the flowers in a collage that recreates either Ophelia's mad scene or Ophelia's death.
  • Students can use sharpie markers and/or nail polish to paint the flowers to make them look more realistic.
  • Students can make their flowers into buttons and use them on a felt Ophelia plushie.