Exploring Ophelia

A Pre-Raphaelite Masterpiece

Let’s dive into Ophelia, painted by Sir John Everett Millais in 1851-2. One of the most famous images of Elizabeth Siddal – it’s a stunning example of Pre-Raphaelite art, known for its faithful botanical precision and the delicate beauty of Hamlet’s young ingenue.

Millais chose to depict the moment described in Shakespeare’s verse—Ophelia floating down the river, singing her final song.

Queen Gertrude
There is a willow grows askant the brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream.
Therewith fantastic garlands did she make
Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,
That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do “dead men’s fingers” call them.

There on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds
Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke,
When down her weedy trophies and herself
Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,
And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up,
Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds,
As one incapable of her own distress
Or like a creature native and endued
Unto that element. But long it could not be
Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,
Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay
To muddy death.

Laertes
Alas, then she is drowned.

Queen Gertrude
Drowned, drowned.