Need clarification on a passage of Hamlet :)

[Juliette2402]

Hi, I have to analyze this passage of Hamlet:

Gertrude:

There is a willow grows aslant a brook

That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream.

There with fantastic garlands did she come

Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,

That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,

But our cold maids do “dead men’s fingers” call them.

There, on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds

Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke,

When down her weedy trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook.

Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like a while they bore her up,

Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds

As one incapable of her own distress,

Or like a creature native and indued Unto that element.

But long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,

Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay

To muddy death.

I do know understand what is meant by "There with fantastic garlands did she come Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do “dead men’s fingers” call them." Why dead men's fingers? what does it symbolize?

Can someone help?

Thx very much!!
Juliette

[Iain Sparrow]

The "dead men's fingers", is slang for that type of flower Gertrude first calls "long purples"... what are in fact a type of orchid, which symbolize purity, love and beauty. Shakespeare may simply be using "dead men's fingers" as wordplay, to in this instance mean death.
Of course the passage concerns Ophelia, it's a death announcement of sorts that leaves Ophelia's intent in question... was her death accidental, or suicide?

[Juliette2402]

The "dead men's fingers", is slang for that type of flower Gertrude first calls "long purples"... what are in fact a type of orchid, which symbolize purity, love and beauty. Shakespeare may simply be using "dead men's fingers" as wordplay, to in this instance mean death.
Of course the passage concerns Ophelia, it's a death announcement of sorts that leaves Ophelia's intent in question... was her death accidental, or suicide?

Thank you so much!