An exploration of Shakespeare’s presentation of the different forms of love in 'The Winters Tale'.
An Exploration of Shakespeare's Presentation of the Different Forms of Love in "The Winters Tale" There are several relationships within "The Winter's Tale" and a number of different forms of love between the characters. We see the childhood friendship between Leontes and Polixenes develop into a bitter rivalry, a true friendship grow between Paulina and Hermione out of the devastation caused by Leontes, the pure romantic love between the two youngest characters, Florizel and Perdita, Hermione's loyalty and everlasting love for Leontes despite his furious jealousy. These relationships have different effects on the characters and help reveal new aspects of the characters to the audience. There are two distinct halves to "The Winter's Tale" - it is set in bitter, claustrophobic Sicilia and warm, happy Bohemia. The atmosphere of each country affects the relationships in the play - most are formed in Bohemia and destroyed in Sicilia. In this essay I will discuss the different types of love which Shakespeare presents to the audience. I have chosen to examine the way each character loves individually, rather than in pairs, as in each case the two parties have very different perceptions of their relationship. The main romantic relationship Shakespeare presents throughout "The Winter's Tale" is between Leontes and Hermione, King and Queen of Sicilia and the audience
"The true interest of 'The Winter's Tale' lies not with Leontes but rather with the female characters - abused Hermione, faithful and tenacious Paulina and the beautiful, chaste and innocent Perdita."
"The true interest of 'The Winter's Tale' lies not with Leontes but rather with the female characters - abused Hermione, faithful and tenacious Paulina and the beautiful, chaste and innocent Perdita." To what extent do you agree with this view of the play? In my opinion 'The Winter's Tale' is a play about human error. It is about the mistakes that people can make and how hard it is to forgive oneself for making them. Most of all it about how time can bring healing change. Leontes is the character who best exemplifies all of these themes throughout the play. He is the character whose personality changes most and he is the one who is "resolved". However, the question asks whether the true interest of the play lies not with Leontes but rather with the leading women. It is certainly true that Hermione, Paulina and Perdita are not just predictable stereotypes of women but they are very similar to other female characters from the plays of Shakespeare. The best comparison of these is "abused" Hermione. She has a similar situation to Desdemona from 'Othello'. She is falsely accused and treated unfairly, though the obvious difference is that Hermione does not actually die whereas Desdemona does. The situation of being thought dead however does occur with Hermione. Also, Hermione can be compared to Cordelia from 'King Lear'. Cordelia is honest and true and yet bluntly abused and cast
Examine Act 3 Scene 2 and consider its importance in the development of the plot, in the presentation of character and in the revelation themes, discussing also the effectiveness of the language.
Examine Act 3 Scene 2 and consider its importance in the development of the plot, in the presentation of character and in the revelation themes, discussing also the effectiveness of the language. In Act 3 Scene 2, Shakespeare uses the climax of the courtroom scene as a device to conclude the first half of the play. The preceding acts lead up to the courtroom scene where many of the audience's questions are answered. Will Hermione be found innocent? And will Leontes realise and admit his mistakes? Both the courtiers', present in this scene and the audience reach the courtroom scene with the expectation that sanity will prevail. Act 3 Scene 2 is central to the developing plot on several grounds. The court scene is the catalyst for Leontes' change in manner. Leontes changes from pompous to instantly rational and humble as a result of the revelations that he hears. Leontes vows to visit his son and wife's graves once a day to grieve as a way of penitence. "Once a day I'll visit The chapel where they lie, and tears shed there Shall be my recreation" Leontes' penitence in Sicilia is central to the developing plot. Soon after in Act 4 Scene 4, the audience learns of Perdita's fate. She and Florizel, Polixenes' son, wish to marry without the knowledge of Polixenes. Consequently when this is revealed to Polixenes, Perdita and Florizel with the help of Camillo decide to
How do relationships succeed or fail in the Winter's Tale?
Examine the relationships of Hermione and Leontes, Paulina and Antigonus, and Perdita and Florizel and the ways in which their relationships work or fail to work. How might a Jacobean audience's view of these relationships differ from that of a modern audience? One important area in The Winter's Tale concerns marital relationships. The marriages and relationships of Hermione and Leontes, Paulina and Antigonus and Perdita and Florizel are central to the development of the plot, and the themes of renewal and rebirth. Structurally, Hermione and Leontes start the play and as their marriage breaks down we see Paulina and Antigonus' relationship; then that of Perdita and Florizel when the first marriage has finally broken completely, and that of the second, ended by the death of Antigonus. Hermione and Leontes finish the play with a successful reunion, Paulina remarries, and Perdita and Florizel are married. We see the play as finally a comedy, but also as a tragedy because there is death (Antigonus, Mamillius, Hermione (temporarily)), hence the usual description of The Winter's Tale as a tragicomedy. Hermione and Leontes' relationship [in 1.2] appears at first to be good and mutually affectionate - Leontes expects Hermione to speak, to join in, to be part of his court - Tongue-tied, our queen? Speak you. [1.2.27]. She respects that, in public, he must appear as the master in the
Parenting is a main element of “The Winters Tale”. Discuss the contrast between Leontes, Hermione, Polixenes, the shepherd and the clown as parents.
Parenting is a main element of "The Winters Tale". Discuss the contrast between Leontes, Hermione, Polixenes, the shepherd and the clown as parents. As parents Leontes and Hermione have very different qualities as parents. Hermione is a strong character within the play and this quality helps to make her a strong and good mother. Leontes however has very different qualities. His jealousy and mistrust of his best friend Polixenes and his wife Hermione, along with his severe paranoia, make Leontes a poor parent. It is this attitude that makes him a poor parent. He mistrusts his own wife and this has a detrimental effect on them as a unit. However Leontes begins to redeem himself as the play progresses. In contrast to this couple the shepherd and the clown are extremely good parents. Even though these two are the same sex and much less well off than Leontes and Hermione they are much more effective as a parental unit. This is because the child that they are raising is a natural princess and it is in her genes to be a princess. I find it very interesting that Shakespeare chose to attribute the best parenting qualities to the parents who are of a lower social class. Leontes is the king of Sicilia. At the beginning of the play Leontes has one son named Mamillius and Leontes sees his son as the best thing in his life. Shakespeare portrays Leontes as an apparently stable and good
Some critics have claimed that the structure of "The Winters Tale is clumsy - Others have claimed it to be a masterpiece of skilful construction - What are your views?
Some critics have claimed that the structure of "The Winters Tale is clumsy. Others have claimed it to be a masterpiece of skilful construction. What are your views? 'The Winters Tale was written by William Shakespeare, a man who wrote many magnificent scripts throughout his life, The Winters Tale was one of his last plays writing it in his last few years of his life. I feel this is why Shakespeare decided to experiment with the structure of the play and as a great philosopher once said "ars est celare artem" translated to English means The art is to hide the part. The play is intended to be a romantic comedy, it is split up into four main structures into which the play evolves around them. Possibly the most obvious structure is the location or setting of the play. The main two locations of the play are two countries Sicilia and Bohemia, these two countries. We start the play in Sicilia. It is the winter months in which wevisit this country and most of the scenes take part in the kings court, therefore everything is bare, old and grey with dull colours on the set as well as the costumes. I think Shakespeare has used these winter months to portrays a sense of old age and lack of life. All this dark and dull décor in the country, Shakespeare may also be trying to signify Leontes' dark, jealous thoughts about Hermione. "too hot, too hot! To mingle
The Winter's Tale - Bohemian Scenes
"The Bohemian scenes are a distraction from the key elements of the play" "The Bohemian scenes provide a welcome contrast to the wintry gloom established before them" How do you respond to these different criticisms of the play? What is your view on the significance of the Bohemian scenes? The two statements agree on the fact that the Bohemian scenes contrast with those based in Sicilia, but offer conflicting views as to the importance and usefulness of the scenes. It is important to highlight these contrasts. The scenes differ in two main ways. First is the natural setting of those in Bohemia with the formal courtliness of Sicilia. The most obvious portrayal of this contrast is through the characterisation and staging of the play. While the Sicilian scenes are based in Leontes' grand court with two kings and Queen Hermione, daughter of "the Emperor of Russia", surrounded by Lords and attendants. In Bohemia the audience is shown a sheep-shearing festival, watched by truly rural characters such as the Shepherd and his son, the Clown. On a more analytical level, this contrast is also made evident through the lines and language of the characters. In Sicilia, Polixenes announces: "My ships are ready, and My people did expect my hence departure Two days ago." In two lines he has shown his importance and grandeur through his reference to "his ships" and "his people".
Character Analysis of Queen Hermione
Character Analysis Essay: Queen Hermione of Sicilia. Queen Hermione of Sicilia is one of the main characters of Shakespeare's play "The Winter's Tale". She is the wife of King Leontes of Sicilia and mother of Prince Mamillius. Her pregnancy and closeness to Leontes' childhood friend King Polixenes of Bohemia causes her husband to become delusional with jealousy and consequently lock her away where she gives birth to her second child (A girl named Perdita), only to be held in trial and proven innocent by the "oracle". Though still pledged guilty and, eventually is said to be dead after the declaration of her son's sudden death. Which in order lead to the continuous events of the play, her characteristics are quite noticeable even with her lack of presence in the play - the elegance and ground that she appears to hold throughout the scenes she's in seem to appear effect one's opinion of such a character. One's opinion of this particular character intertwines respect and love; for not only does she show femininity and patience, but she aslo represents a royal queen at its finest. Hermione's character can be seen to be an intelligent and graceful one. Her wit and sense of humor can be seen throughout Act 1 - Scene 2, where she is seen to be confident of her husband's love and trust that she jokes around with his own childhood friend King Polixenes of Bohemia, conversing about
"What do we learn about Leontes in Act 1? How does Shakespeare dramatically portray his character?"
"What do we learn about Leontes in Act 1? How does Shakespeare dramatically portray his character?" James De Vile - 2/10/01 Leontes is King of Sicilia and the main character of the play. However, as always in Shakespeare's tragedies, the would-be hero has a fatal flaw which leads to his downfall. This often takes a long time to surface and be obvious to the reader. But this play differs from other such plays, for example 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Othello'. Othello's fatal flaw is not truly apparent until act IV, when his jealousy first begins to surface, yet in a Winter's Tale, Leontes' paranoia is plain from the outset. We first notice something is amiss when Leontes enters for the second time in act I scene II, enquiring whether Polixenes is "won yet", and will stay. Leontes' wife, the Queen Hermione, proclaims that she has managed to win him over, something Polixenes dismissed earlier by saying "there is no tongue that moves, none, none i'th'world, So soon as yours could win me" (I.2.20-21) to Leontes. Leontes notices this and bluntly states "At my request he would not." This could well be the first sign of Leontes' paranoia. It shows that he sees a bonding between Hermione and Polixenes that enables her to persuade him to stay, where Leontes is powerless. The main blow for Leontes comes when Hermione offers Polixenes her hand: "...I have spoke to th'purpose twice:
Act 1 of "The Winter's tale",
"Leontes is no more than a case study in obsessive mania: he is not credible at all." "Leontes' jealousy - despite its rapid onset- is entirely convincing in its power and the horror it creates in the audience." Consider these opinions in relation to Act 1. How far does the text support each of these opinions? In Act 1 of "The Winter's tale", it is evident that Leontes' madness and suspicions over an affair between Polixenes and Hermione are increasing at an extreme pace. However, this essay will seek to analyse whether or not the, perhaps, overly paranoid nature of this is realistic in the impact it has on the audience. There are clear examples, that in the opening lines of Act 1 Scene 2, there is a very close bond between the two kings, Leontes and Polixenes. As they've been friends since childhood, this is to be expected and Leontes is keen for his friend to stay with him a while longer. "Stay your thanks a while And pay them when you part." The fact that there are shared lines between the pair of them emphasises this closeness. They are extremely close and so this makes the events that occur later in the scene baffling to the audience, because of this early closeness. Arguably however, closeness is not being shown at all in this early encounter, and it can be likened to the first scene of the play where Camillo is engaging with Archidamus. In that scene,