The fictional King Leontes abuses his adversary Paulina with sexist insults. He screams "witch," "crone," and "gross hag". For daring to speak the truth, for refusing to be silenced until her message is conveyed, Paulina receives furious threats from the patriarchal ruler. Neither husband nor King can deter Paulina from her vow to use "that tongue I have" with "boldness from my bosom”.
Historical Context is a critical standpoint when evaluating to what extent the play is about the struggle for power between men and women. In Shakespearean times women had very few rights, suffered terrible oppression. They were obliged to remain in the home, do their husband’s bidding and never protest. When a woman broke any of the sexist rules, which were often the law it was considered an outrage, even a crime. To modern day audiences this idea would be shocking but to Jacobean audiences this would have been a usual occurrence.
The most obvious character in the play to suffer this oppression, inflicted by her tyrannical, insanely jealous husband is Hermione; the honourable woman and Queen of Sicilia. I think it is a most powerful and frightening portrayal of jealousy, to which a modern audience would certainly be able to associate with, showing how power can be a dangerous thing in the wrong hands. This is important. The audience knows that Leontes has abused his power, failing in his role as leader and cannot help but contemplate whether the strong and resolute Hermione would in fact be more suitable to the position.
Hermione is highly praised by all of the characters within the Winter’s tale for being so charming, witty and spirited. She demonstrates her dignity in Act 2 Scene 1 when Leontes has his guards arrest her. She says to her ladies:
‘Do not weep good fools, there is no cause.’
Shakespeare shows that Hermione can play a tender role in reassuring her ladies while at the same time denounce the accusations against her in a display of courage and strength, distancing her from stereotypical female associations.
Hermione’s intelligence is also made clear when she refuses to reciprocate Leontes sexual degradation.
Leontes: “My wife is slippery...
—a hobby horse, deserves a name as rank as any flax-wench”
The sexually degrading language used by Leontes towards Hermione would not have shocked a 17th century audience. The play is an examination of the dangers of absolute power as both Leontes and Polixenes abuse their power for their personal appeasement. They are kings “accountable to none but god”, a Jacobean society allowed them to express whatever view they pleased, however flawed. This however would be extremely shocking to a modern day audience. Looking at the play from a Feminist viewpoint Leontes' behaviour and language are reflective of the repressive structure of society, where sexual degradation is a tool for women’s repression. Shakespeare uses this language to portray Leontes publicly degrading Hermione, however her reciprocation is done honourably:
“Should a villain say so.
The most replenished villain in the world,
He were as much more villain. You, my Lord,
Do but mistake”
She insists that he must have made a 'mistake' as only 'the most replenished villain' would say such things. The use of the noun "villain" distances her attack from being personal. Hermione also uses the subjective ‘if’, showing how she skilfully manipulates her subject. She behaves in a way, which is paradoxical to Leontes' suspicions. Shakespeare does this to intensify Leontes' paranoia and Hermione's sense of justice. Shakespeare uses this contrast as a device to ensure that we can see the different powers that Leontes and Hermione posses. Leontes is superficial and brash whereas Hermione is confident and thoughtful. Shakespeare is showing us that Hermione knows how to use her power in an ethical way, in comparison to Leontes who uses-his rashly with selfish intentions. She is representative of the eloquent stoicism we associate with heroines of Greek tragedy.
Shakespeare gives us a rather intellectual impression of the women in comparison to the disparaging portrayal of men. The women have a deeper understanding of morality and ethics; this is not to say however that the male characters do not have any power at all. On the contrary, their power is more obvious because of their selfish motives and exploitation of others. Perhaps Shakespeare is saying that concentrating power in one area can lead to devastating consequences. This is particularly evident through Hermione and Leontes. Hermione's manner is as light-hearted, witty, flowing and poised, as Leontes' is pre-occupied, sombre and awkward.
“Sweet villain!
Most dear 'est! My collop! Can thy dam? May't be?
Affection, thy intention stabs the centre.”
The perpetual use of exclamation marks and questions, show the distortion of his mind. Shakespeare has disrupted the metre in order to make the fragmented language noticeable in comparison to Hermione's diction.
“Force me to keep you as a prisoner,
Not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees
When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you?”
My prisoner? Or my guest?...
We also see Hermione spending time with her son, Mamillius, who seems to be treated as if he were a little younger than his years.
“Take the boy to you: he so troubles me, ‘tis past enduring.”
This may be a result of the lack of attention from his father and the influence of a man. Hermione, though tired from the pregnancy, listens to his stories. This is an important theme, as Leontes has little time for his son Mamilius whereas Hermione makes time regardless, showing that she is a stronger parent than Leontes who is occupied with other things and I think ultimately makes her a stronger person. It is also interesting to note the roles of mothers in Jacobean times. They would be expected to nurture their child whilst the father earned a living, this controversial role is no longer a stereotype and is purely the choice of the mother, showing how women have triumphed in their struggle for power and have gained equality.
Shakespeare combines in Perdita a diversity of qualities. At once ardent and chaste, she is witty, strong-willed and modest. As well as the beauty and dignity, which she has inherited from her mother, she also shares Hermione's humility and strength of character. She shows an inner faith in her understanding of the difference between right and wrong, and is truly disgusted by Polixenes' arrogance and snobbery.
“The selfsame sun that shines upon his court
Hides not his visage from our cottage, but
Looks on alike.”
She is more philosophical and reflective than Hermione therefore her greater understanding and knowledge of morality in fact intensifies her power. Perdita is the best example of a female character struggling for individuality. She has by no means turned into a replicate of her father, perhaps her upbringing in the relaxed home of the shepherd and her lower profile life has distanced her from being the power hungry, dramatic character we see within the court, who simply wishes not for power but for peace.
"The Winter's Tale" is a tragic-comedy wherein femininity is the most celebrated. However, Shakespeare provides a remarkable contrast between the unworthy and ignoble characters of Leontes and Polixenes and the thoroughly decent, respectable characters of the Shepherd and the Clown. They stand for the lower rank characters, and even though they are male, Shakespeare distances them from the negative qualities of Polixenes and Leontes. They are innocent, with radiant good natures.
“...bid
These unknown friends to's welcome, for it is
A way to make us better friends, more known”
Here the Shepherd shows his hospitable nature, making it easier for us to conceive his previous act of kindness towards an abandoned child. Perhaps then, we should not examine the purpose of the Kings' roles as providing a contrast to the brilliant females, but rather that the characters with less power provide a contrast to those with absolute power.
Feminism demands role models who not only criticise the system but also prescribe alternatives and take concrete action. After forcing Leontes' to face the brutal result of his jealousy, Paulina assumes behind-the-throne control. Leontes agrees to marry again only with her permission, despite the pressure to produce an heir. As Carol Thomas Neeley describes, Paulina changes from "shrew to wise counsellor and engineers the penance that will transform Leontes' tragic actions to a comic conclusion". Combining magic with wisdom, Paulina becomes goddess-like by breathing life into the statue of Hermione. Paulina fulfils a multitude of feminist expectations, both action-based and symbolic: she confronts the patriarch, she defends the sisterhood, she speaks for vulnerable children, she memorializes womanhood, she worships the great Goddess Nature, she preserves artistic beauty, she strives for gender reconciliation, and she finally restores balance in the community.
Throughout The Winter's Tale' the female characters demonstrate an ability to subtly demonstrate authority over the male characters, thus avoiding any misunderstandings and allowing the men to maintain their dignity. Shakespeare uses these subtleties to portray the dangers of absolute power. Despite the overwhelming power of the kings, the only two to triumph in the conflict are Hermione and Perdita. They both show themselves to be above the corrupt actions of the kings whilst maintaining the highest level’s of dignity throughout. While the struggle for power consumes Leontes and Polixenes, it is the struggle for equality and the right to speak that the women pursue. At the end of the play, despite the hardship suffered by all characters it appears that this struggle for equality is not over. Paulina is speaking and Leontes interrupts:
“0 peace, Paulina”
This suggests that despite all his protestations of reform he has still not grasped the concept of equality and freedom of speech, emphasizing the ongoing “….struggle for power between men and women?"
Daniel Maddock
2000 Words Approx.
Reference Material.
William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”
J.H.Pafford’s Introduction to The Winter’s Tale
Penguin Critical studies - Shakespeare’s sources for The Winter’s Tale
Secondary sources – “The Winter’s Tale” The Early Reviews.
