The Winter’s TaleThe Winter’s Tale

Rebirth and RegenerationRebirth and RegenerationWarm life, As now it coldly Warm life, As now it coldly

standsstands (V, iii, 35-6) (V, iii, 35-6)

PregnancyPregnancyRegal breeding is vital to the play – the play opens Regal breeding is vital to the play – the play opens with a discussion of the qualities of Mamilliuswith a discussion of the qualities of MamilliusThe word “issue” is used throughout the play meaning The word “issue” is used throughout the play meaning children and result, e.g.children and result, e.g.““something rare Even then will rush to knowledge…something rare Even then will rush to knowledge…And gracious be the issue!” (III,I,20-22) Dion at the And gracious be the issue!” (III,I,20-22) Dion at the oracleoraclePaulina believes that the sight of his new-born child Paulina believes that the sight of his new-born child will cure Leontes of jealousywill cure Leontes of jealousyLeontes obsesses over his “bastard” childrenLeontes obsesses over his “bastard” childrenIn the last act Cleomenes and Dion are concerned In the last act Cleomenes and Dion are concerned about “his highness’ fail of issue”about “his highness’ fail of issue”Paulina reassures Dion: “Care nor for issue The Paulina reassures Dion: “Care nor for issue The crown will find an heir” (5.1.46-7)crown will find an heir” (5.1.46-7)

BirthBirthBirth is “the play’s central miracle” (C Neely)Birth is “the play’s central miracle” (C Neely)Paulina: “The child was prisoner to the womb…” Paulina: “The child was prisoner to the womb…” (2.2.58-60)(2.2.58-60)The new and fresh blows away the problems of the The new and fresh blows away the problems of the old, as Florizel says of Perdita: “What you doold, as Florizel says of Perdita: “What you doStill betters what is done”Still betters what is done”The Shepherd’s prose helps transform the mood of The Shepherd’s prose helps transform the mood of the poem when he says: “Thou met’st with things the poem when he says: “Thou met’st with things dying, I with things new born” (3,3, 112-113)dying, I with things new born” (3,3, 112-113)Reproduction by three women – Paulina, Reproduction by three women – Paulina, Hermione, Perdita – repair the damage of two men Hermione, Perdita – repair the damage of two men (Kermode)(Kermode)How does each reproduce?How does each reproduce?

ChildhoodChildhoodLeontes and Polixenes depict childhood idealistically:Leontes and Polixenes depict childhood idealistically:They are too close and both want to hold on to They are too close and both want to hold on to childhood: “we were as twinned lambs”childhood: “we were as twinned lambs”They see adulthood as tainted by original sin: They see adulthood as tainted by original sin: 1.2.67-741.2.67-74Hermione says they have “tripp’d since”Hermione says they have “tripp’d since”Perdita and Florizel are youthful and F in particular is Perdita and Florizel are youthful and F in particular is optimistic: “Apprehend nothing but jollity”optimistic: “Apprehend nothing but jollity”They are introduced in spring and P talks of They are introduced in spring and P talks of “Daffodils that take the winds of March with beauty”“Daffodils that take the winds of March with beauty”

PaulinaPaulina

““I do come with words as medicinal as true I do come with words as medicinal as true Honest as either” (2.3.35)Honest as either” (2.3.35)Points out the baby’s likeness to L – eye, Points out the baby’s likeness to L – eye, nose, lip…(2.3.102)nose, lip…(2.3.102)Leontes uses word “bastard” 8 timesLeontes uses word “bastard” 8 times““Shall I live on to see this bastard kneelShall I live on to see this bastard kneelAnd call me father?” (2.3.153-4)And call me father?” (2.3.153-4)

JusticeJusticeLeontes: “Let us be cleared Of being Leontes: “Let us be cleared Of being tyrannous, since we so openly Proceed in tyrannous, since we so openly Proceed in justice”justice”Hermione defends herself with dignity: “If Hermione defends herself with dignity: “If powers divine Behold our human actions…”powers divine Behold our human actions…”Leontes has angered the gods: “Apollo pardon Leontes has angered the gods: “Apollo pardon my great profaneness”my great profaneness”http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Apollo.htmlPaulina criticises Leontes “Run mad indeed, Paulina criticises Leontes “Run mad indeed, stark mad” (3.2.181)stark mad” (3.2.181)““Do not repent these things, for they are Do not repent these things, for they are heavier than all thy woes can stir” (3.2.207)heavier than all thy woes can stir” (3.2.207)

TimeTime

Makes aware that Time brings in “freshest Makes aware that Time brings in “freshest things” things” But can also “make stale the glistering of But can also “make stale the glistering of this present” (4.1.12-14)this present” (4.1.12-14)

PeerPeer

Word used a lot – Word used a lot – looklook and and heirheir““Flora/Peering in April’s front” (4.4.2-3)Flora/Peering in April’s front” (4.4.2-3)

FlowersFlowersFlorizel dresses Perdita up as Flora and Florizel dresses Perdita up as Flora and she gives flowers to her guests: rosemary, she gives flowers to her guests: rosemary, rue, daffodils, violets, ‘pale primroses’…rue, daffodils, violets, ‘pale primroses’…(4.4.118-124)(4.4.118-124)Perdita calls carnations “Nature’s bastards”Perdita calls carnations “Nature’s bastards”Polixenes says cross-breeding is “an Art Polixenes says cross-breeding is “an Art which does mend Nature” (4.4.95-7)which does mend Nature” (4.4.95-7)Elizabethans loved discussing the Elizabethans loved discussing the relationship between Art and Nature and relationship between Art and Nature and this is a debate about producing something this is a debate about producing something newnew

PerditaPerdita

Leontes thinks she is a ‘goddess’Leontes thinks she is a ‘goddess’There is not great proof of her identity – There is not great proof of her identity – love must have trust and Leontes finally love must have trust and Leontes finally learns thislearns thisHer beauty speaks of her royal bloodHer beauty speaks of her royal blood

Last SceneLast SceneLeontes’ gaze seems to bring Hermione to life Leontes’ gaze seems to bring Hermione to life bit by bit: “bit by bit: “Would you not deem it breathed, Would you not deem it breathed, and that those veinsand that those veins Did verily bear bloodDid verily bear blood” ” (5.3)(5.3)Paulina directs things “music awake her, Paulina directs things “music awake her, strike!”strike!”Something cold as ‘stone’ has warmth and lifeSomething cold as ‘stone’ has warmth and lifeAnd with this Leontes’ happiness and kingdom And with this Leontes’ happiness and kingdom is again secure and his thoughts turn to his is again secure and his thoughts turn to his daughter: daughter: gods, look down,gods, look down, And from your sacred vials pour your gracesAnd from your sacred vials pour your graces Upon my daughter’s headUpon my daughter’s head

ConclusionConclusion

The play is truly a ‘Winter’s Tale’The play is truly a ‘Winter’s Tale’It promises of rebirth and warmth returning It promises of rebirth and warmth returning to a deathly, cold kingdom:to a deathly, cold kingdom: