Hamlet and Ophelia 1858

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's drawing presents Hamlet and Ophelia amidst potent symbols of life and death. Look at the carved panels that bookend the lovers; On Hamlet's side, the rod of Asclepius, a symbol of healing and medicine, sits atop an image of a reclining figure, hinting at mortality. This symbol echoes through time. Consider the serpent, shedding its skin—a metaphor for renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence. Rossetti’s inclusion of the caduceus reveals a deep engagement with the past and the complex layers of meaning embedded within ancient symbols. Notice the emotional weight of Ophelia, seated with heavy eyes, a symbol of the tragic narrative that is about to unfold, engaging us on a subconscious level. The image of the snake, the caduceus, resurfaces across centuries, evolving from a symbol of healing to one of commerce, reminding us of the non-linear journey of symbols through history.