Horticulture And Shakespeare

            A predominant image presented in William Shakespeare's plays is the image of a garden, infested with weeds. Even though the image pervades his works, the symbolic meaning of the garden evolves over the course time. The image becomes a metaphor for the management of human desires as well as the state of affairs of a country and corrupt kingdom. Through examination of Richard II, Hamlet and Othello, the development of the garden transforms from a political allegory to a metaphor for the human body. There is, however, a common theme among the three plays to eliminate the "weeds,"" or corrupt forces that destroy or contaminate the garden. .
             One of the first references of a neglected garden is presented in Richard II as a political allegory for the state of affairs in England. King Richard, an unsatisfactory head of state, is surrounded by advisors who take advantage of him to live a luxurious life in his court. The Richard's mismanagement of England is represented as a "sea-walled garden full of weeds; her fairest flowers choked up, Her fruit-trees all unpruned, her hedges ruin'd, Her knots disorder'd."" His use of the term "seal-walled- echoes John of Gaunt's speech in Act II, Scene I, in which the nobleman refers to "the silver sea Which serves it [England] in the office of a wall."" In Gaunt's speech, he praises the beauty of England but warns Richard of the consequences of leasing the land "a recommendation suggested by his advisors. The garden is an allegory for a mishandled country overpowered by the king's advisors. The "fair flower choked up- depicts the deadly, consuming power of weeds and how they can destroy a garden if not removed.
             Not only does the gardener use the garden as a microcosm of England, but also he uses individual plants to represent the relationships between the king and his advisors: "Go, bind thou up young dangling apricokes Which, like unruly children, make their sire Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight.