Ophelia by Heeley

Italian Orange, Green Flower Stems, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Tuberose, Moss, White Musk.

Beautiful madness.........

Shakespeare's Ophelia is a tragic character who went quite mad after Hamlet's rejection. In her final speech, she hands out flowers. The symbolism of which is quite muddy and seemingly lost in the translation of time. In the absence of the bard himself to direct the stage, contemporary renditions of the role have been described as follows :

Ophelia enters with her hair and figure entwined with chains of flowers. On her outer skirt, there is an abundance of them. Advancing slowly and with a glint of insanity in her eyes, she sits down to play with them, all the while singing in a childish manner.

Once arisen, she sings her final song after distributing pansies, columbine, rosemary and rue. Pausing after her parting benediction, she rushes out with a burst of mad laughter. James Heeley takes this imagery to more carnal level by centering the fragrance around the blatantly sensual note of Tuberose.

"Whereas for Hamlet, madness is metaphysical and linked with culture, Ophelia's is a product of the female body and nature. Ophelia's virginal and vacant white is contrasted to Hamlet's scholarly garb of solemn black. Her flowers suggest the dual and discordant images of blossoming innocence and whorish contamination. She is the green girl of pastoral, the virginal rose of May and the sexually explicit madwoman who deflowers herself by giving her flowers and herbs away. The mad Ophelia's bawdy songs and verbal license give her access to an entirely different range of experience than what she's been allowed as the dutiful daughter. It's her self-assertion as a woman, although quickly followed by her death. It's as if it is retribution."

As a fragrance, Ophelia is many things to me. Most of all, it is a superb rendition of my favorite note in perfumery; namely Tuberose. This note has rich history. It was forbidden by Victorians to young girls for fear they would experience spontaneous orgasm. Roja Dove has been quoted as saying Tuberose is very loose and "The harlot of perfumery". If this is true, then I can only say ( with gusto ) "bring on the harlotry" !!!

James Heeley has recognized the mesmerizing quality of this flower and softened its power to more acceptable levels. This is quite the statement of love from me. I normally like my Tuberose bold, brash and even intrusive. Ophelia is soft, yet strident. It really is quite the enigma.

I very seldom fall this hard for a fragrance at first sniff. Ophelia has bewitched me.........and I must have her !!!!!!

Coutureguru is a terrific guest reviewer and also can be read at www.parfumo.net