1. Metaphor and Simile:
* "There is a willow grows aslant a brook..." This is a simile, comparing Ophelia's drowned body to a willow branch.
* "Her clothes spread wide..." This is a metaphor, comparing Ophelia's clothing to a "net," suggesting the fragility of her life and the way it was caught and trapped by her fate.
* "Her garments heavy with their drink..." This is a metaphor, comparing the water Ophelia drowned in to a "drink" that weighed her down, emphasizing the tragic nature of her demise.
* "And, like a commen dancer, she went down..." This is a simile, comparing Ophelia's drowning to a dancer's movements, creating a sense of irony as the dance of life is replaced by the dance of death.
2. Personification:
* "The willow...sigh'd..." The willow tree is given human qualities, suggesting the natural world mourns Ophelia's loss.
* "The brook...laughed..." The brook, personified, seems indifferent to Ophelia's tragedy, highlighting the cruel irony of the situation.
3. Imagery:
* "Her clothes spread wide..." Creates a vivid image of Ophelia's body floating, emphasizing her vulnerability.
* "The water...wept..." A striking image, suggesting the river is grieving for Ophelia, adding pathos to the scene.
4. Repetition:
* "Her garments heavy with their drink..." The repetition of "heavy" reinforces the weight of grief and the finality of Ophelia's fate.
* "...and she died." The final line repeats "she died," leaving a lasting impact and emphasizing the tragedy.
5. Dramatic Irony:
* "I hope all will be well." Gertrude's statement is ironic, as she is unaware of Ophelia's true cause of death (possibly suicide) and the wider tragic implications.
6. Symbolism:
* Willow: Often symbolizes mourning and sorrow, emphasizing the tragic nature of Ophelia's death.
* Brook: Often symbolizes the passage of time and the unstoppable flow of life, which contrasts with Ophelia's untimely demise.
7. Iambic Pentameter:
* The speech, like most of Shakespeare's dialogue, is written in iambic pentameter. This rhythm helps create a sense of balance and control, even as Gertrude describes Ophelia's chaotic death.
Overall, Gertrude's speech uses a variety of literary devices to evoke the tragedy of Ophelia's death, creating a powerful and memorable scene in the play.