Final answer:
Ophelia's speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet contains figurative language, such as metaphor and symbolism. A metaphor is used to indirectly describe Polonius's death, and the symbolism of flowers in her mad scene reflects her emotions and experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Figurative language enhances the emotional and thematic depth of literary texts, and in Ophelia's speech from Hamlet, examples of this can be vividly found. In lines 163-175, two notable examples include Ophelia's use of metaphor and symbolism.
Firstly, Ophelia employs a metaphor when she refers to her father's death, indirectly speaking of Polonius's demise without stating it outright. Instead, she uses symbolic language such as 'When he is dr_unk asleep, or in his rage,' (Act IV, Scene V) suggesting the vulnerable and unwitting state in which Polonius found himself before being killed. This metaphor subtly conveys the sense that her father was caught off-guard, and enhancing the portrayal of his death as a wrongful act.
Secondly, symbolism is evident when Ophelia distributes flowers in her mad scene. Each flower represents a different aspect of her experience and emotions, such as the innocence lost ('The rose of May') or her disillusionment and grief. The act of giving away these flowers can be seen as her casting off or sending messages about the different facets of her life and psyche that have been affected by the tragic events she has endured.