All four elements complement one another. The snow represents despair. The hemlock tree is a sorrowful emblem. The crow is seen as foreboding. The wind is regarded as a messenger. These four elements create a gloomy atmosphere that intensifies when combined with other poetry traits. Crows are known for their prophetic abilities, and in this case they warn of Gertrude's death. Hemlock trees are associated with witchcraft and poison. The snow falls during a period of great despair for Gertrude. The wind howls at her funeral. These images make it clear that Gertrude has died because of love. Gertrude's death is described using metaphorical language. The poet uses human examples to explain abstract concepts. This is common among poets who write about love. Dust of Snow by William Wordsworth is a sad poem. It was written after the death of his daughter Dorothy who had been sick with tuberculosis. Wordsworth used this experience to express his feelings about life and death.