Discuss the roles and dramatic significance of the three main female characters in the play "The Winter's Tale"
"Discuss the roles and dramatic significance of the three main female characters in the play." The female protagonists in The Winter's Tale are significant to the plot in various ways, but the most important is that, if they were not in the play none of the occurrences would have materialized. For instance, Hermione is a catalyst that ignites Leontes jealousy. Paulina is the author of a plot to conceal Hermione and Perdita is the one who fulfils the oracle's prophecy. To further enhance our understanding of the roles women had to play in Elizabethan England, we will look at the characters of the three main female protagonists; Hermione, Perdita and Paulina. Hermione is the central female character in The Winter's Tale as she is the one who unintentionally provokes the tension and jealousy of Leontes through her role in of a charming hostess, which she uses to captivate the attention of Polixenes to stay in the court of Sicilia. "How say you? My prisoner, or my guest? By you dread `Verily`, One of them you shall be." (Act I Scene ii lines 53-56) Here Hermione's gift of persuasion is clearly illustrated as she playfully convinces Polixenes to stay and he succumbs to her intelligence and wit by consenting. She has the ease of manner which is born of complete confidence in Leontes and the closeness of her relationship with Polixenes. Dramatically she is presented as
Response - Status.
UNIT 1: RESPONSE Our first few lessons were based on "Status". We were placed into pairs, where one person was A, who would play the dominant role in the scene. We were given a different situation each time, where there was clearly one person there with more authority. We had to improvise a scene lasting about thirty seconds. Then we ended each scene, by marking the moment with a freeze-frame, so we could return back to the scene later. Then we changed partners and situation. One of the situations we were in was when I took on the role of a schoolteacher, who was questioning a pupil who had done something wrong. I was marching around the pupil, forcing her to admit the truth. My partner, Linzi, denied it all and was clearly upset that she had been accused. The scene came to a still and when we returned later, I revealed to Linzi what she had supposedly done, taken Mr Piggy off the shelf. This added a punch line to the scene and as it was a spontaneous improvisation, Linzi hadn't a clue what I was accusing her of. So when I told her, she and I both had to communicate with each other well so the scene would flow on. This activity enabled me to work with others more easily and with more confidence. We worked in three's and we were given a situation, where one person was being interrogated, about what was for us to decide. This activity allowed us to take on dominative roles.
“A sad tale’s best for winter. What then is the value of the comic elements of The Winter’s Tale?”
Shakespeare: The Winter's Tale "A sad tale's best for winter. What then is the value of the comic elements of The Winter's Tale?" The Winter's Tale is a play of extremes of character, mood and genre, the play therefore cannot easily be categorised. As a result, in considering a question such as this we must be conscious of the fact that we are measuring the comic elements' relative value against, for example, the tragic or romantic sides of the play. The comedy must therefore be gauged in the context of the piece as a whole. Contextually, comedy was of course very important in contemporary live performance as it is today on stage. It is often easy to forget that a playwright can and will blend genres, a technique that modern critics will often explain away as a method to increase tension. For example, it has been said that the comedy of the drunken porter in Macbeth does not vitiate but rather increases the tragic momentum.1 These sorts of effect are undoubtedly achieved; this fact does not however diminish the spontaneous comic value of a moment in a live performance. The term 'tragicomedy' has been has been employed to describe The Winter's Tale and plays similar in genre-structure to, such as Pericles, Prince of Tyre. These plays tend to have more than just a glimpse of relieving comedy; the humour usually has a significant role in the development of the play and
In Death and The Maiden, Paulina's struggle is symbolic of the struggle of oppressed nations all over the world. What is the message that Dorfman is trying to express through her? To what extent is he successful?
Paulina's struggle is symbolic of the struggle of oppressed nations all over the world. What is the message that Dorfman is trying to express through her? To what extent is he successful? Chile, an oppressed nation, held in fear for fifteen years. Like many others in the country, Paulina Salas was tortured for weeks, and for fifteen years she has not been able to accept the crimes done to her and has therefore not been able to move on with her life. Death and the Maiden starts of with Paulina hiding when she hears an unfamiliar sound, which immediately makes the audience wonder why she has that fear. Throughout the play the audience is introduced to the situation where Paulina was raped and tortured fifteen years ago during Pinochet's rule. Through the kidnapping of her oppressor and forcing a confession out of him, Paulina represents the wishes of all the others in her situation, as she takes action to gain justice for herself. Dorfman brings out the message of firstly, forgiving and forgetting, which is portrayed through her conflict with not only Roberto, but also Gerardo. Secondly he brings out the message of revenge compared to self justice, which is shown to the audience through Paulina's debate throughout the play as to whether she kills Roberto or not, as well as through her interaction with Gerardo. In Death and The Maiden, Dorfman introduces the situation
English Coursework Amy Tongue
English Coursework Amy Tongue 'The Winter's Tale' Title of coursework: Discuss Shakespeare's portrayal of women in Act 3 scene two of 'The Winter's Tale'. Shakespeare's play 'The Winter's Tale' was written in the Victorian era. At this period in time there were many etiquette laws that dictated a person's actions in every situation. These laws were mainly manners and morals, such as how a gentleman should treat a lady. Throughout the 1800's and even into the early 1900's upper-class citizens in both the United States and some parts of Europe followed such rules. They existed for things such as courting, weddings, business, visits to the home and every type of social engagement. Etiquette laws told people how to behave 'properly' and how to act when with other people. Women were expected to be weaker than men, having timid and very 'girly' characters. They had to be loyal and obey their husbands, treating them with great respect. On the other hand men had more power and were stronger than women. In 'The Winter's Tale' Shakespeare uses these ideas in his portrayal of women. He created contrasting females, showing one character to be a typical Victorian lady who followed the etiquette laws and another lady who is very different to the stereotypical 17th century woman. This can clearly be seen
Explore the way that Shakespeare uses female characters in The Winter's Tale. How far would their roles be acceptable to a modern audience?
Explore the way that Shakespeare uses female characters in the play. How far would their roles be acceptable to a modern audience? 'The Winter's Tale' written by Shakespeare was one of his four last plays or 'late romances' that he wrote. It has been categorised in the four last plays because it shares similar features to 'The Tempest,' , 'Pericles, Prince of Tyre,' and, 'Cymbeline,' as they have a redemptive plotline with a happy ending involving the reuniting of long separated family members, magical and other fantastical elements, a mixture of civilized and pastoral scenes and a young virginal character who restores happiness. Although, the late romances share commonalities with Shakespeare's earlier plays like 'Twelfth Night,' they are considered to have a unique style with elements of tragicomedy and masques integrated with comedy, romance and pastoral that although they are contrasting emotions create a sense of balance and moderation. They have therefore become coherent, appealing and dramatically effective plays. 'The Winter's Tale' was one of the Four last plays that Shakespeare wrote and like most of his plays, it contains a range of themes. Entertainment, humour, comedy, drama, love, tragedy all play some part in this play making the play overall a success and appealing to a large audience. It is also the representation of women that make it such a
How does Shakespeare present the role of women in the play "The Winter's Tale"
How does Shakespeare present the role of women in the play "The Winter's Tale"? Shakespeare presents women in the play in a number of guises, most of these promote women as the superior sex. For example he presents Hermione as essentially the heroine of the play. In the court she stands up to the mad tyrant that is Leontes in the face of almost certain death. She doesn't lose dignity in her defence and is willing to die to make sure her love can show him the error of his ways. Leontes is a man teetering on the edge, she says to him, "Sir, spare your threats," she shows herself a hero as she faces the king in a court that would certainly be biased and she doesn't lose her dignity at all. She is the only person to stand up the king, none of the lords make a stand as he is clearly mad and Camillo cowardly runs away. She is willing to become a martyr to her cause, she may have lost her son and daughter because of Leontes but she chooses to face him which shows her to be the bravest of the play. He also portrays women as persuasive and somewhat manipulative in the person of Paulina, who exerts huge control over Leontes as she gets him to swear, "never to marry until my free leave," she controls him enough that he allows her to choose a women for his wife. What's more impressive is that Paulina was just Hermione's lady in waiting and she now controls
"How far do you think that the play is about the struggle for power between men and women? In forming your response, evaluate the different critical standpoints & consider the importance of historical context."
"How far do you think that the play is about the struggle for power between men and women? In forming your response, evaluate the different critical standpoints & consider the importance of historical context." "The Winter's Tale" explores a wide variety of themes such as art and nature, disguise and reality, justice and injustice, but the most prominent theme is definitely the struggle for power between men and women, especially when considering the historical context of the play. Since The Winter's Tale's creation it has been performed to many different audiences. Each particular audience will interpret the play differently due to the context of beliefs and attitudes that exist at that time. Many factors determine the context, and therefore determine how 'The Winter's Tale' is construed. A Jacobean audience will have accessed ideas that are pertinent to Jacobean times, whereas a modern audience will consider meanings that are relevant to a modern context. 'The Winter's Tale' is therefore ambiguous, as a number of different interpretations can be formed. The role of women is a conceptual context that is inherent within many of Shakespeare's plays, such as "The Winter's Tale', 'King Lear' and 'Macbeth'. The persistence of the theme therefore creates a context itself, through which an interpretation of the text may be reached. Many critics have lambasted the female characters
What contribution does Paulina make to the concerns and effects of The Winter's Tale?
THE WINTER'S TALE What contribution does Paulina make to the concerns and effects of The Winter's Tale? In your answer you should: * Set out clearly ways in which Shakespeare presents the character of Paulina; * Explain your own view of her role in the development of the play; * Comment on what the play suggests about the importance of courage and faithfulness. Paulina is the wife of Antigonus, a subject of Leontes and a friend to Hermione. She plays an important part in The Winter's Tale as Hermione's defendant and as Leontes' conscience, through which she demonstrates great courage and loyalty, two of her most important characteristics. When Shakespeare first introduces Paulina to the audience, she is attempting to visit Hermione in prison. Her great power is demonstrated as she intimidates the gaoler who eventually defers to her authority and allows her entry to see her "gracious queen". Shakespeare presents her as an honourable character as although she defies her king, she defends the honesty and honour of Hermione unquestioningly. She then goes to Leontes where we again see her great power and courage. Unlike most women of the time who should have served their husbands she makes her own decisions, saying, "trust it/ He'll not rule me" and as Antigonus tells Leontes, "When she will take the rein, I let her run/ And she'll not stumble". She risks her life by
"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
"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 Hermione from Leontes' wrath; In actually going to the gaol herself we see the lengths she is willing to go to, to reverse this injustice. This trait of Paulina is further emphasised by the gaoler's response, when asked if he knows her, "for a worthy lady and one who much I