Contrasts between Sicilia and Bohemia also illustrate this concept of regeneration. We leave Sicilia in Winter and arrive at the birth of Spring in Bohemia, “When daffodils begin to peer”, the natural seasonal cycle. Sicilia is struck by a manmade tragedy and the world of nature is left barren by winter. Yet in Bohemia we have moved on sixteen years. Act four begins with a natural tragedy the death of Antigonus by a bear. However, with spring comes regeneration as a new generation lives. We are confronted by a pastoral setting, representative of fertility in nature and springtime. The theme of natural renewal is presented through Hermione and Perdita. At the sheep shearing festival Perdita is shown as the goddess Persephone. Persephone’s mother, Demeter, was the goddess of fertility therefore Hermione can be shown as a goddess of regeneration. Hermione must console Leontes for the play to reach its happy conclusion; Perdita (through Hermione’s fertility) provides this opportunity.
Christian theological concepts as well as biblical connections are illustrated through the characters of “The Winter’s Tale”. Jesus frequently used parables to teach the Christian message. Several events that happen in the Winter’s Tale can be related to such parables to illustrate the idea that “The Winter’s Tale” has a Christian message. The Shepherd and the Clown are shown as good Samaritans. They raise Perdita and use the money left with her wisely, not selfishly. The clown returns to bury Antigonus. Leontes could be seen as the prodigal son, though he has caused the death of his wife and child he acknowledges this repents and “Once a day [he’ll] visit the chapel where they lie.”
As well as parables, Christian theological concepts are exhibited in “The Winter’s Tale”. Love based upon self-sacrifice is demonstrated through Florizel and Perdita’s relationship; Florizel gives up his kingship so that he can be with Perdita.
“From my succession wipe me, father; I
Am heir to my affection.”
Another concept shown is the hope of eternal salvation though human life maybe unpleasant and short. In Hermione’s statue form it could be interpreted that she has been alive these sixteen years always hoping that her daughter will return. Perdita's return shows salvation. The trial of Hermione has echoes of the trial of Jesus before his crucifixion. Both trials are unjust, and ultimately both of the accused are innocent. Hermione does not fear her death neither does Jesus.
“Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die?”
Polixenes comments that he now is being treated like Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Coincidentally, Judas betrayed Jesus by identifying him with a kiss; Polixenes is now accused of betraying Leontes by kissing his wife.
“Oh then, my best blood turn
To an infected jelly and my name
Be yoked with his that did betray the Best.”
The source for the development of the play is Leontes suspicion of adultery on Hermione’s part. Temptation caused the downfall of mankind and original sin when Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden of Eden. Polixenes and Leontes tell Hermione about their childhoods and loss of innocence when they became interested and were tempted by women.
“…O my most sacred lady,
Temptations have since then been born to ‘s: for
In those unfledged days was my wife a girl;”
This idea of adultery can be related to the historical context of the play. Henry VIII suspected several of his wives had committed adultery and saw it fit to divorce or execute them on moral grounds.
Another Christian theme is that of the seven heavenly virtues and the seven deadly sins. Hermione exhibits the seven virtues: faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance, and wisdom. Hermione uses the word “grace” frequently during her trial, this is further emphasised if Perdita is taken to be a representation of Hermione when she is referred to as “graceful”. At the beginning of the play, Leontes shows signs of the deadly sins: pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth.
These two interpretations of natural renewal and a Christian message share many similarities and connections. One statement made by Leontes highlights that these two interpretations could not exist without each other:
“Once a day I’ll visit
The chapel where they lie, and tears shed there
Shall be my recreation.”
The word “recreation” allows these interpretations to be linked. Hermione’s resurrection from her statue from is a form of “recreation” as is Leontes repentance for his sins. The journey of sixteen years and the change from Winter to Spring allows Perdita to grow and be nurtured into a young woman, this demonstrates the theme of natural renewal.
I saw a production of “The Winter’s Tale” by the Compass Theatre Company during March 2003. Their interpretation and staging of the play was centred on Mamillius and seen through his eyes. Undeniably, the worst experience a child can have is to see its' parents arguing and this causing the death of a parent. Their interpretation was that Mamillius was the forgotten victim in “The Winter’s Tale”.
I believe that “The Winter’s Tale” is literally meant to be a timeless tale with a moral message. Shakespeare does not specify when this play is set, locations such as Sicilia and Bohemia do not offer us any solutions. Therefore this play is timeless, it shows two sides of humanity through the contrasts of Sicilia and Bohemia and provides a warning to us all about the dangers of jealousy and temptation. However, it provides hope through reconciliation and redemption and that those two sides of humanity can be joined as one. For example in Sicilia it is cold, ugly, miserable, jealousy exists, whereas in Bohemia it is warm, beautiful, happy and constancy exists. When these two sides intertwine at the end of the play we see the happiness and joy that reconciliation can bring and that it is never too late to redeem oneself. This can be further linked to the religious and historical context of the play. I believe that this play was providing a message to Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims in Europe at the time of Shakespeare. Although these religions are materially different (the contrast between Bohemia and Sicilia) their fundamental morals and principles remain the same; we should be united by these principles and be reconciled with one another to prevent religious conflict as well as creating a world in which jealousy and temptation is not entertained.
Word Total: 1,415
Bibliography:
The Winter’s Tale-Heinemann Advanced Shakespeare
The Good News Bible
Reformation Thought-Alister E. McGrath
Tudor England-John Guy
http://www.theologywebsite.com/