Ophelia’s Rosemary for Remembrance
Reflections on Hamnet, rosemary, and the power of herbs
Ophelia in Hamlet quotes, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember,” in the midst of her grief as she distributes flowers.
I watched Hamnet in the cinema at the beginning of the year and, like most others, I came away feeling beyond moved, transcended, deeply changed and eyes open to what Chloé Zhao had created. Throughout the film, I found myself being moved by something unexpected. Agnes’ connection to her garden, her plants, her personal apothecary, as a herbalist, healer and ‘forest witch’.
Every time she recited lines from the Nine Herb Charm, my eyes began to well. For her undying belief and commitment to the power of those plants. Saying the words which personify the herbs to protect against sickness. Reciting as she prepares the herbs, connecting to the teachings of her mother. Her connection to the forest, the earth and to nature. Something so innate, primal and essential to her being, moved me throughout the film. Presented so respectfully and beautifully through the words, colours, music, and most certainly through performance.
Shakespeare’s subsequent words in Hamlet, quoting the herbs as Ophelia remembers her father, speaks to the nature of his partner. It all connected for me, musing on the power of herbs, what we encounter daily, their deeper meaning, and how they were historically relied on for healing.
Rosemary. That’s for remembrance.
We have seen a rise in interest in rosemary oil through social media, due to the popularity of its use in hair care. Promises of hair growth and increased follicular activity. Promises that most people don’t fully understand. I do use it for my own hair concoctions, but this isn’t my main use of rosemary oil…
Rosemary is a powerful oil for focus, memory and cognitive function. Hence its connection to remembrance. I might use it for clients who have upcoming exams or stressful periods at work, where they are processing a lot of information. I may create an essential oil blend for them to inhale that includes rosemary to help them focus, offering more mental clarity. I’ve also used it for elderly clients to encourage some lightness in heavier times of thick mental fog.
We are so familiar with rosemary as a plant due its ability to grow strongly here in the UK, and its use in food, herbalism, and aromatherapy, as well as for its very distinctive aroma. I like the tangible access to rosemary. I use so many essential oils where I can’t physically get my hands on the original source. Being able to access the world’s resources through a tiny bottle has its own magic, but there is something about being able to have the plant in your hand. As you rub your fingers through its leaves, petals, branches and access its valuable healing power.
So as I see Agnes, wrapping her herbs, making her poultices, working towards healing those who mean the most to her, with her rich herbal knowledge, I feel a sense of relief but also a deep power in my chest. To see it represented on the screen in its beauty and belief. Not to mention the underlying, stunning score that accompanies it, to really gather those tears.
A pure honour to see such artistry in the storytelling and representation of so many themes that spoke to so many.
A small insight into my rambling thoughts, deep love and appreciation for this film, wrapped up into these words. If there is anything you’d like to share of your experience, I’d love to hear more.
References available on request.
For more information on bespoke aromatherapy, contact: info@elementbyelizabethkenny.com