"Shakespeare presents the character of Paulina as nothing more than an interfering and loose-tongued woman.""Paulina is presented by Shakespeare as the voice of reason within the play."How can these views be justified in the text? What is your opinion of

The first 200 words of this essay...

"Shakespeare presents the character of Paulina as nothing more than an interfering and loose-tongued woman."

"Paulina is presented by Shakespeare as the voice of reason within the play."

How can these views be justified in the text? What is your opinion of Paulina in the play?

Paulina, the wife of Antigonus is portrayed as a blunt-spoken, formidable woman who staunchly defends Hermione and absolutely will not allow Leontes to get away with his crimes. She denounces him directly to his face, taking every opportunity to remind him of the havoc his jealousy has caused, going so far as to confront him with the baby Perdita, whom he claims is not his. Furthermore, she directly challenges the King's authority and his word in declaring that the baby is his, "The whole matter the copy of the father" and in her argument of his treatment of Hermione, she says, "but this most cruel usage of your queen." To make these claims to a king who has already made up his mind is arguably a very dangerous act and one that warrants a great deal of courage from the. Her loyalty to her friends is shown by her desire to save