Tuesday 15 January 2013
Homework Questions
What do you consider to be an unhealthy relationship? Give an account where this has occurred?
- In my opinion, everyone has problems in their relationships but when it becomes so consistent to the point you where you feel overwhelmed and it negatively affects you mentally and physically, that's unhealthy.
Define the term Oedipus Complex?
- Sigmund Freud, who coined the term "Oedipus complex", believed that the Oedipus complex is a subconscious sexual desire in a child, especially a male child, for the parent of the opposite sex and hostility toward the other parent.
What are your views on this type of behavior?
-I find the Oedipus complex to be fascinating but also disturbing. At first thought, Oedipus Complex seemed quite down par but after studying the theory, I soon realized that the child being at such a young age ( 3- 5 yrs), would have no control over their psychological behavior. At a young age, we seek love and nurture from our parents, therefore if one parent is producing all of these more than the other, we would naturally be drawn more to them.
In Antigua we see older men taking advantage of younger girls and having children with them. What negative effects can come about through these forms of unhealthy behavior.
- There are many negative consequences of childhood seduction. These include: confusion about sexual identity and sexual norms; inability to differentiate sex from love; confusion between care-getting and care-giving, with lowered respect for adult authority; and impaired ability to judge the trustworthiness of others. We can also say that there is an age-inappropriate sexual knowledge.
Thursday 25 October 2012
Brainstorm: The elements of a tragedy
Elements of tragedy, are that a protagonist has to suffer some kind of
separation from his society.He also has to
make some kind of mistake or show bad judgment.There are usually deaths which more often, occur
at the end of the play in the same way that comedies typically can end
in a marriage or a feast. These elements include:
1) Supernatural elements (Paulina's mysterious supernatural powers)
2) Tragic hero : person with noble qualities and a flaw in his character(Perdita)
3) Tragic error: some disorder that has been committed against the laws if nature and needs to be corrected. (Leonte's allegations towards Hermiones)
4) Conflict :with country or with the hero himself (Leontes' inner battles)
5) Revenge :the hero is usually often revenge or he is being avenged (apollo's revenge on Leontes
6) Sad ending: the death or destruction (death of hermiones and mamillius)
7) Comic relief : some light scenes to relieve the stress of tragic events (Autolycus)
8) Isolation of main character (Everyone turned against Leontes because of his allegations towards Hermiones)
1) Supernatural elements (Paulina's mysterious supernatural powers)
2) Tragic hero : person with noble qualities and a flaw in his character(Perdita)
3) Tragic error: some disorder that has been committed against the laws if nature and needs to be corrected. (Leonte's allegations towards Hermiones)
4) Conflict :with country or with the hero himself (Leontes' inner battles)
5) Revenge :the hero is usually often revenge or he is being avenged (apollo's revenge on Leontes
6) Sad ending: the death or destruction (death of hermiones and mamillius)
7) Comic relief : some light scenes to relieve the stress of tragic events (Autolycus)
8) Isolation of main character (Everyone turned against Leontes because of his allegations towards Hermiones)
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Significance of Autolycus in Winter's Tale
Autolycus, who does not appear in the play until Act 4 scene 3, is a con artist who roams
around the Bohemian taking advantage of anyone he happens to come across paths with .Autolycus is also a likeable character, in the way his uses antics to entertain the audience.His lying and cheating is interspersed with singing and
dancing that helps inject Act 4 with a festive spirit.
When we first meet him in act 4, scene 3, Autolycus is singing.He sings of spring time, and of the ‘red blood’ which ‘reigns in the winter’s pale’, and thus changes the tone of the whole drama.
Autolycus fabricates a story about being robbed in order to evoke sympathy and pick the pockets of the country Clown. Soon after, Autolycus shows up at the sheep-shearing feast disguised as an ordinary peddler. He is determined to attend and steal even more money. He is a huge success at the festival, selling his wares and picking the pockets of the guests there. After selling his merchandise to the festival-goers, Autolycus,who is now wearing the Prince Florizel’s clothing, then pretends to be a helpful nobleman, scamming the Shepherd in order to help Prince Florizel escape to Sicily.Autolycus does more than introduce music and laughter. Shakespeare uses him to effect the outcome of the play. When, at the end of the sheep-shearing scene, Autolycus is witness to the denunciation by Polixenes of Florizel and Perdita, Autolycus decides to take a hand in the action.
We can’t help but notice all the disguises and dramatic acting that goes down when Autolycus is on the scene.Autolycus's appearance provides comedy to the more serious love-plot. Although he is a rogue, Autolycus’ association with music and song ensures that he carries with him a light-hearted atmosphere
The role of Autolycus is significant in lightening up tense moments within the play and changes the mood of the play. Autolycus has a knack for entertaining and pleasing the audience.
When we first meet him in act 4, scene 3, Autolycus is singing.He sings of spring time, and of the ‘red blood’ which ‘reigns in the winter’s pale’, and thus changes the tone of the whole drama.
Autolycus fabricates a story about being robbed in order to evoke sympathy and pick the pockets of the country Clown. Soon after, Autolycus shows up at the sheep-shearing feast disguised as an ordinary peddler. He is determined to attend and steal even more money. He is a huge success at the festival, selling his wares and picking the pockets of the guests there. After selling his merchandise to the festival-goers, Autolycus,who is now wearing the Prince Florizel’s clothing, then pretends to be a helpful nobleman, scamming the Shepherd in order to help Prince Florizel escape to Sicily.Autolycus does more than introduce music and laughter. Shakespeare uses him to effect the outcome of the play. When, at the end of the sheep-shearing scene, Autolycus is witness to the denunciation by Polixenes of Florizel and Perdita, Autolycus decides to take a hand in the action.
We can’t help but notice all the disguises and dramatic acting that goes down when Autolycus is on the scene.Autolycus's appearance provides comedy to the more serious love-plot. Although he is a rogue, Autolycus’ association with music and song ensures that he carries with him a light-hearted atmosphere
The role of Autolycus is significant in lightening up tense moments within the play and changes the mood of the play. Autolycus has a knack for entertaining and pleasing the audience.
Importance of Disguise in the play
Disguise can be defined as a means of altering one's appearance or concealing one's identity. In the Winter's Tale , disguise is greatly important. The characters incorporate the use of disguise to reveal truths about each character.
In act 4 Polixenes and Camillo disguise themselves as shepards in order to investigate Florizel’s constant absence in his royal curt.This disguise reveals that Florizel is engaged to Perdita, a commoner. With this revelation, Polixenes' controlling and furious side begins to reveal itself also. Hurt by his son's betrayal, Polixenes proclaims that the shepherd will be executed for allowing a prince to court his daughter, Perdita's beauty shall be "scratched with briers" and Florizel will be disinherited if he ever speaks of her again.
Disguise is also used when Florizel decides to give up his succession and flee with Perdita to Sicilia to escape his father's rage. In order to flee without suspicion, Camillo asks Autolycus to exchange clothes with Florizel. Autolycus agrees, and the prince puts on the peddler's rags, which he hopes, will enable him to reach a ship undetected by his father. This done, Florizel, Perdita, and Camillo leave Autolycus and head to Sicilia. As Autolycus talks to himself, the Clown and the Shepherd come in. Still wearing Florizel's clothing, Autolycus pretends to be a nobleman . The Clown is advising the Shepherd to tell King Polixenes how he found Perdita in the forest years before. Hearing this, Autolycus tells them that the king has gone aboard a nearby ship, and sends them in that direction. and this play a significane part in the revelation of Perdita's identity.
Perdita is the daughter of King of Sicilia. After being abandoned, she was raised by a shepherd in Bohemia. She grows up as a Shepherd girl falls in love with Florizel, the Prince of Bohemia who is later stripped of his succession by his father for being engaged to a commoner. When her disguise is revealed however, it does not change the relationship between Perdita and Florizel; it strengthens it and made it easier for her to be accepted by his father.
Florizel also uses disguise and disguises himself as a commoner to ensure that Perdita does not know about his royalty. This disguise is intentional as to ensure that Perdita’s love is true and that she is not swooned by his riches.
In conclusion, the physical disguise of characters shadows the theme that people are not always as they seem, and the importance of the inner spirit. In this process of change characters go through, Shakespeare uses physical disguise as a metaphor of the spiritual disguise some people possess, and provides the reader with an enlightened mind as well.
In act 4 Polixenes and Camillo disguise themselves as shepards in order to investigate Florizel’s constant absence in his royal curt.This disguise reveals that Florizel is engaged to Perdita, a commoner. With this revelation, Polixenes' controlling and furious side begins to reveal itself also. Hurt by his son's betrayal, Polixenes proclaims that the shepherd will be executed for allowing a prince to court his daughter, Perdita's beauty shall be "scratched with briers" and Florizel will be disinherited if he ever speaks of her again.
Disguise is also used when Florizel decides to give up his succession and flee with Perdita to Sicilia to escape his father's rage. In order to flee without suspicion, Camillo asks Autolycus to exchange clothes with Florizel. Autolycus agrees, and the prince puts on the peddler's rags, which he hopes, will enable him to reach a ship undetected by his father. This done, Florizel, Perdita, and Camillo leave Autolycus and head to Sicilia. As Autolycus talks to himself, the Clown and the Shepherd come in. Still wearing Florizel's clothing, Autolycus pretends to be a nobleman . The Clown is advising the Shepherd to tell King Polixenes how he found Perdita in the forest years before. Hearing this, Autolycus tells them that the king has gone aboard a nearby ship, and sends them in that direction. and this play a significane part in the revelation of Perdita's identity.
Perdita is the daughter of King of Sicilia. After being abandoned, she was raised by a shepherd in Bohemia. She grows up as a Shepherd girl falls in love with Florizel, the Prince of Bohemia who is later stripped of his succession by his father for being engaged to a commoner. When her disguise is revealed however, it does not change the relationship between Perdita and Florizel; it strengthens it and made it easier for her to be accepted by his father.
Florizel also uses disguise and disguises himself as a commoner to ensure that Perdita does not know about his royalty. This disguise is intentional as to ensure that Perdita’s love is true and that she is not swooned by his riches.
In conclusion, the physical disguise of characters shadows the theme that people are not always as they seem, and the importance of the inner spirit. In this process of change characters go through, Shakespeare uses physical disguise as a metaphor of the spiritual disguise some people possess, and provides the reader with an enlightened mind as well.
Saturday 13 October 2012
Tutorial: October 11th: Foreshadow
Evidence of foreshadowing in the play.
In Shakeshpeare's A Winter's Tale, foreshadowing is evident. Foreshadow is a warning or indication of a future event. It keeps the audience interested and gives the play a touch of mystery.
In Act 1 Scene 1, the opening dialogue between Camillo and Archidamus foreshadows events that will occur during the play. They discuss the striking differences between the two kingdom, the great and enduring friendship between the two kings, and the beauty and promise of Leontes's young son,Mamillius.
"Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note. (act 1 scene 1) "
"I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a gallant child (Act 1 scene 1) "
When Archidamus states that "If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one." , in act 1, this is a sign of foreshadow within the play. Foreshadow begins to fulfill its purpose in act 2 scene 3, when Mamillius becomes ill as a result of his mother's imprisonment ("'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.") and the discussion in act 1 scene 1 between the Kings' lords about Leontes not having an heir, comes to mind and creates suspense.
Though act 3 scene 2 is filled with joy after Hermione was declared innocent of her accusations, it is also a moment of greatest disaster, since it leaves us with Mamillius and Hermione dead and the foreshadow and the oracle's warning fulfilled. This occurs when a servant rushes into the trial with word that Mamillius has died.
"O sir, I shall be hated to report it!
The prince your son, with mere conceit and fear
Of the queen's speed, is gone."
Leontes has lost his heirs to the throne and the oracle prophesied that he cannot produce another heir until his lost daughter is found.
The foreshadowing techniques used in the play help grasps the audience's attention throughout the play and holds them in suspense.
In Shakeshpeare's A Winter's Tale, foreshadowing is evident. Foreshadow is a warning or indication of a future event. It keeps the audience interested and gives the play a touch of mystery.
In Act 1 Scene 1, the opening dialogue between Camillo and Archidamus foreshadows events that will occur during the play. They discuss the striking differences between the two kingdom, the great and enduring friendship between the two kings, and the beauty and promise of Leontes's young son,Mamillius.
"Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note. (act 1 scene 1) "
"I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a gallant child (Act 1 scene 1) "
When Archidamus states that "If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one." , in act 1, this is a sign of foreshadow within the play. Foreshadow begins to fulfill its purpose in act 2 scene 3, when Mamillius becomes ill as a result of his mother's imprisonment ("'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.") and the discussion in act 1 scene 1 between the Kings' lords about Leontes not having an heir, comes to mind and creates suspense.
Though act 3 scene 2 is filled with joy after Hermione was declared innocent of her accusations, it is also a moment of greatest disaster, since it leaves us with Mamillius and Hermione dead and the foreshadow and the oracle's warning fulfilled. This occurs when a servant rushes into the trial with word that Mamillius has died.
"O sir, I shall be hated to report it!
The prince your son, with mere conceit and fear
Of the queen's speed, is gone."
Leontes has lost his heirs to the throne and the oracle prophesied that he cannot produce another heir until his lost daughter is found.
The foreshadowing techniques used in the play help grasps the audience's attention throughout the play and holds them in suspense.
Thursday 11 October 2012
Tutorial : October 10th
Character Sketch :
Leontes
Leontes is the king of Sicilia. He is responsible for instigating the action of the play. What is most relevant to his character is his constant change of temper. Early in the play he is possessed of an insane jealousy and suspicion towards his wife and his friend.This situation ought immediately to make the audience lose both sympathy and respect for him.
Instead just as quickly as he becomes jealous, so does he repent mightily. He eventually confesses his sins openly, withdraws from the world and gives up all hope of remarriage. He shows a firm determination to change by keeping a tight rein on his passions. It is through the other characters' respect and forgiveness of Leontes, which consequently allows the audience to accept their evaluation of the situation.
However, Shakespeare does not make Leontes pay for his sins. He regains what he has lost. In place of Mamillius he receives Florizel and, with him, the hope of many sons, through his marriage to Perdita and harmony is restored.
Hermione
As the wife of Leontes, Hermione is a gentle, yet strong feminine character. She disappears from the scene in the third act itself and does not reappear until the last scene. Yet, the charm of her personality is perceived throughout the play. She has the ease of manner, which is born of complete confidence in her husband and in the absoluteness of her innocence.
In the trial scene Hermione speaks to her delusional husband. She first takes his accusations as a joke. Only later does she realize that he is serious. She suggests that evil influence may be the cause of his distemper. She thinks of the comfort of others rather than her own. She comforts her ladies as she is hauled off to prison. Her patience, dignity and virtue underscore the baseness of Leontes' accusations. Hermione defends herself in an extremely interesting way. She does not attempt to deny the charges in a legal manner. In response to Leontes' accusations, she appeals to her previous conduct, the well-known evidence of her blameless life and her way of life.She has complete confidence in her own innocence. Hermione knows that she must have been vindicated by the oracle.
Hermione is generous and never criticizes him for the death of young Mamillius. Once again, Shakespeare is revealing his characters indirectly through what other people express about them. Hermione's resolution, courage and integrity given all toher, yet in some ways she is almost too ideal of a character, with no flaws granted her. In many ways, she is the most memorable character of the play.
Perdita
Perdita is in every way Hermione's flesh and blood. Brought up among peasants, she possesses the gifts of natural virtue rather than those of civilized virtue, possessed by her mother. She displays many virtues;honesty, graciousness, a love of nature, modesty.
Like her mother, Perdita is put on trial, during the debate about nature and art with Polixenes. She is a child of nature who practices natural virtue. She dislikes being "prank'd up" like a goddess.
Fearless as her mother at her trial, she argues courteously, but firmly with Polixenes. She naively proclaims that the same sun that shines on the court also shines on the shepherd's hut yet there is an element of practical truth about her observation. This is a rather bold statement but it indicates the existence of Perdita's royal blood.
Perdita is portrayed as a youthful foil to Hermione. However, she is a less important character. She is more fearful in some respects than Hermione yet she also fears the consequences that may befall Florizel with his love for her. Still, she manages to defend herself when necessary.
Polixenes
Polixenes is the king of Bohemia and a great friend of Leontes. On the whole, he is not a very fully developed character yet he plays an important role earlier in the play on bringing up the theme of friendship.
In the fourth Act, however, he begins to come into his own. He is largely used as a foil to Leontes. His suspicion of his son parallels Leontes' suspicion of Hermione. His anger at his son and his debate with Perdita also parallels the behavior of Leontes.His main function here is to reveal the fact that Perdita would not be considered a suitable mate for Florizel, despite her gifts of natural virtue.
On the whole, Shakespeare uses Polixenes to state many important opinions in the course of the play; on friendship, on nature and art, and on nobility.
Florizel
Florizel is the son of Polixenes, a young prince. He is honest, faithful and above all optimistic. While Perdita is not sure of the progress of their love, Florizel is confident that all will turn out well. He is willing to brave the disapproval of his father in getting married to Perdita.
Florizel believes that he can overcome all obstacles. Consequently, he tells the disguised Polixenes that he has no intention of telling his father about his marriage until it is a fact. In this statement, he shows a flash of royal arrogance as well as selfishishness. As a result, Polixenes' anger is intensified and his reason more clouded than might have been otherwise.
Florizel believes most highly in love and will do anything to marry Perdita. He is a highly resourceful young man who is a practical, courageous, and virtuous lover.
Camillo
Camillo is the wise and an honest counselor. Throughout the play, he is shown to be loyal, trustworthy and honest yet he is morally courageous. Consequently, he deserts Leontes when he cannot follow him in an immoral act. Polixenes appreciates this righteous man and relies greatly on his advice. He is more than willing to take Camillo with him when he returns to Bohemia.
Camillo is evidently sympathetic towards the fate of the lovers. In the presence
of Polixenes he advises Florizel not to talk to his father when he is in such
a furious state of mind. When he is alone with the young lovers, however, he assures
Florizel that he is concerned with their well being. He suggests that
they head for Sicilia and present themselves at court. In the meantime, he will
remain in Bohemia and try to calm Polixenes. Throughout the play, Camillo
always works towards resolving the chaos that has been the result of the intrusion
of evil in the harmony of life.
Camillo's marriage to the equally worthy and upright Paulina seems to be a well-earned reward for both of them. Marriage in this play symbolizes harmony as well as order.
Paulina
Paulina is a remarkable character. She is a loyal waiting woman of Hermione.It is she who thinks of various means to bring Leontes to a state of repentance. She defies her husband, Antigonus, who at times seems almost afraid of her, and even dares to argue with her. She thinks of taking the child to Leontes in the hope of softening his hard heart. Though the scheme failed, it clearly reveals the determination in the character of Paulina.
Fearless, she confronts the king fiercely when he is caught in his delusions about Hermione. At the end of the play, her magic brings Hermione back to life.
Antigonus
Husband of Paulina, Antigonus is a decent man who tries ineffectively to bring Leontes back to reason. Under oath to obey his king, he tries to defy Leontes concerning the fate of the innocent infant but he is outwitted by him. Antigonus carries the infant Perdita to the wilds of Bohemia and abandons her. The gods punish him for his part in the unjust act, and he is eaten by a bear. His death by a bear may be considered a kind of judgment on him for having been so willing to suspect Hermione and to follow Leontes' cruel command.
Mamillius
Praised by all at court as a boy of great promise, Mamillius is the charming and beloved heir of the Sicilian throne. He appears in only two scenes of the play, yet his identity is so well established. When he does make an entry, he is seen in a very merry and innocent state.He dies of grief after his father wrongly imprisons his mother.
Autolycus
Formerly in the service of Florizell, Autolycus is now a theif who cons innocent people out of their money yet Autolycus also has a function in the play. He manages to turn the old shepherd and the clown away from their intention of going immediately to the Bohemian king. In this way he helps to ensure the escape of the lovers.
Cleomenes and Dion
Lords in the Sicilian court, Cleomenes and Dion are sent by Leontes to consult the oracle of Apollo.
Summary of Act 1
Scene1
Scene One is a short conversation between Archidamus, a Bohemian courtier, and Camillo, a Sicilian courtier and trusted friend of Leontes. Archidamus praises the generous hospitality he has been treated to in Sicilia.Camillo talks about the friendship between Leontes and Polixenes, King of Bohemia. The two rulers were raised together since boyhood, although now their responsibilities as kings keep them apart. Both courtiers agree that Prince Mamillius of Sicilia shows great promise.
Scene 2
Polixenes proclaims his intent to return home. He has been staying as a guest in the court of Leontes for nine months. Leontes tries, without any success, to convince Polixenes to stay a short while longer. At Leontes' request, Hermione, Leontes' wife, tries to convince Polixenes to stay. She is persuasive, and Polixenes gives in. Hermione is extremely affectionate to Polixenes, treating him with great love because he is her husband's best and oldest friend. Leontes reveals that he is insanely jealous of Polixenes and Hermione. He is convinced that they are secretly committing adultery, although he has no hard evidence on which to base his suspicions. In full view of the others, he asks his young son Mamillius questions loaded with double meanings about whether or not the child is his. When Hermione and Polixenes ask if Leontes is feeling well, he replies that he is only unsettled because Mamillius reminds him of himself in the days of his own childhood. Leontes asks if Polixenes' son back in Bohemia is as dear as Mamillius, and Polixenes speaks of the great love he has for his own boy.
Leontes questions Camillo, who is clearly unaware of the king's suspicions. The king, convinced that Camillo is either stupid or playing dumb, grows irritated. When he finally tells Camillo of what he suspects, the advisor is horrified and does not believe it. Leontes' grows increasingly furious, and Camillo, seeing the king's conviction, seems to give in. At Leontes' expressed desire to see Polixenes dead of poison, he offers to carry out the task. His condition is that Leontes' keep the queen in her present status, and do nothing to stain her honor. The king agrees, and Camillo affirms again that he will poison Polixenes. He is a loyal courtier, but he believes Polixenes and Hermione are innocent. He resolves not to do it. Polixenes enters he asks Camillo about the change in the king's manner, and Camillo initially refuses to give a straightforward answer. When Polixenes continues to entreat Camillo, worried that his safety might be at risk, Camillo tells him the truth. He agrees to help Polixenes, using his authority as Leontes' most trusted advisor to ensure a safe escape for Polixenes and all of his men. Camillo says that he will serve at Polixenes' court, since in helping Polixenes he can no longer stay in Sicilia. Polixenes' ship has been ready for departure for days, and Polixenes assures Camillo that he will remember this service.
Act 2
Scene 1
Hermione sits with her ladies-in-waiting and Mamillius. Leontes enters with Antigonus and various lords. They are telling him about the flight of Camillo and Polixenes, and their news makes Leontes feel certain that his suspicions were correct. He now believes that Camillo was a double agent working for Polixenes. He has Mamillius taken from Hermione, and he cruelly insults Hermione in full view of the lords and Hermione's ladies. He says that she has committed adultery, and Hermione bears his insults with dignity. When he tells her that she is to be put in prison, she insists that her ladies accompany her because she is pregnant and needs their help. The lords cryas she is escorted out, and she tells them that they would have reason to cry if she were guilty. She brings her women with her as she goes to her prison.
Antigonus tries without success to make Leontes reconsider his
suspicions. He professes absolute faith in the queen's virtue, but
Leontes remains unconvinced. From Leontes' point of view, the truth of
the matter is apparent, and he seeks no counsel from his men in
determining whether or not his suspicions are correct, he has been all
the more convinced by Camillo's flight. The king announces that he has
sent messengers to Apollo's oracle at Delphos to ask about the queen's
fidelity. Although he has no doubt as to what the answer will be, the
oracle will at least put the minds of his subjects at ease.
Scene 2
Paulina, courtier and wife of Antigonus, tries to see the queen in her cell, but the guard will not let her pass. Instead, the jailer will allow Emilia, one of Hermione's ladies-in-waiting, to come out and speak for the queen. Emilia reveals that Hermione has had her baby, a healthy daughter. Paulina resolves to take the baby to the king, in hopes that the sight of his daughter will restore his senses to him. The jailer has anxieties about releasing the child, but Paulina convinces him that the baby should not be in prison. She also assures him that she will protect him from harm.
Scene 3
Leontes speaks of burning the queen to put his mind at rest. A servant enters, and from their conversation we learn that Prince Mamillius has been sick since his mother's imprisonment. Leontes tells the servant to tend to the boy. Since he cannot harm Camillo and Polixenes, he will satisfy himself by dealing with Hermione. Paulina enters, along with Antigonus, servants, and lords. She fearlessly confronts the king, defending the queen's innocence. She refuses to do anything but praise the queen's character. The king mocks Antigonus for being unable to control his wife, but Paulina brushes these comments aside. She tries to convince the king that the infant is his by pointing out the strong physical resemblance between the monarch and the child, but the king remains unmoved. He keeps telling Antigonus to control his wife better, but Antigonus does not bother trying. Paulina leaves the child, hoping that Leontes will soften and come to his senses. The king orders Antigonus to destroy the child. Leontes accuses Antigonus of instructing his wife to behave as she has, which Antigonus denies, with the lords backing his word. The king refuses to believe them. He asks Antigonus what he would be willing to sacrifice to save the child's life, and Antigonus replies that he would give anything. Leontes asks him to swear to do his bidding, in order to save the life of the child, and Antigonus swears. The king orders Antigonus to take the child and leave it in a wild and remote place, to be saved or killed according to the dictates of chance. If Antigonus does not do so, he and Paulina will both be executed. Antigonus is compelled to obey because he has given his word he goes to it miserably. A servant enters with the news that Dion and Cleomenes have arrived back from the oracle. Leontes announces his attention to have the queen put on trial.
Act 3
Scene 1
Cleomenes and Dion, the courtiers dispatched by Leontes to the oracle at Delphi, speak with wonder about the ceremony they witnessed at the shrine. They hope that the oracle's judgment will help Queen Hermione.
Scene 2
The trial of Hermione. Hermione defends her chastity and condemns the
injustice that has been done to her. Leontes remains as stubborn and
angry as ever, attacking and threatening Hermione while she counters him. An officer breaks the seal on the message from the oracle
and reads: Hermione, Polixenes, and Camillo
are innocent and Leontes is a jealous tyrant. The oracle also predicts
that Leontes will be without an heir unless the lost daughter is found.
The court is delighted, but Leontes denounces the words of the oracle as false. But then a servant enters, bringing terrible news. Prince Mamillius is dead, killed by anxiety about his mother's fate. Hermione faints, and is helped out of the room by Paulina and several officers. Leontes is now fully penitent, asking the gods' forgiveness and promising to make amends. Paulina reenters and lashes out at the king, condemning his tyranny and jealousy. Hermione is dead. Paulina continues to rebuke the king harshly, but when she sees his grief and penitence she regrets her roughness. Leontes says that he will have queen and prince buried in the same grave, and he will grieve for the rest of his days.
Scene 3
Antigonus, carrying the baby, enters with a mariner. They have set down on the shores of Bohemia, and the sailor is nervous because the sky is threatening. He fears the gods are angry with them because of what they are doing, and he warns Antigonus not to wander too far or too long, because this land is famous for its wild beasts. After the sailor has left, Antigonus tells the baby that he saw Hermione's spirit last night in a dream. The ghost cried and then told him that the child's name is Perdita, because she is lost. Hermione's ghost also informed Antigonus that because of his hand in the child's abandonment, Antigonus will never see his wife again. Antigonus believes that the dream is a sign of Hermione's death. He has either come to believe or forced himself to believe Leontes' suspicions, and so he is abandoning the child in the wilds of Bohemia, the land of her supposed father. He leaves the child with a bundle and a box. He regrets his task, but he feels bound by his oath. Then he suddenly exits, pursued by a bear.
A shepherd wanders, complaining about young people and looking for two lost sheep; instead of finding them, he stumbles onto Perdita. He believes she must be the unwanted offspring of two servants, and he resolves to take care of her. The Shepherd and his son find that the box left with the baby is full of gold, and he now believes that the child is a changeling, a child left by fairies.
Leontes
Leontes is the king of Sicilia. He is responsible for instigating the action of the play. What is most relevant to his character is his constant change of temper. Early in the play he is possessed of an insane jealousy and suspicion towards his wife and his friend.This situation ought immediately to make the audience lose both sympathy and respect for him.
Instead just as quickly as he becomes jealous, so does he repent mightily. He eventually confesses his sins openly, withdraws from the world and gives up all hope of remarriage. He shows a firm determination to change by keeping a tight rein on his passions. It is through the other characters' respect and forgiveness of Leontes, which consequently allows the audience to accept their evaluation of the situation.
However, Shakespeare does not make Leontes pay for his sins. He regains what he has lost. In place of Mamillius he receives Florizel and, with him, the hope of many sons, through his marriage to Perdita and harmony is restored.
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Hermione
As the wife of Leontes, Hermione is a gentle, yet strong feminine character. She disappears from the scene in the third act itself and does not reappear until the last scene. Yet, the charm of her personality is perceived throughout the play. She has the ease of manner, which is born of complete confidence in her husband and in the absoluteness of her innocence.
In the trial scene Hermione speaks to her delusional husband. She first takes his accusations as a joke. Only later does she realize that he is serious. She suggests that evil influence may be the cause of his distemper. She thinks of the comfort of others rather than her own. She comforts her ladies as she is hauled off to prison. Her patience, dignity and virtue underscore the baseness of Leontes' accusations. Hermione defends herself in an extremely interesting way. She does not attempt to deny the charges in a legal manner. In response to Leontes' accusations, she appeals to her previous conduct, the well-known evidence of her blameless life and her way of life.She has complete confidence in her own innocence. Hermione knows that she must have been vindicated by the oracle.
Hermione is generous and never criticizes him for the death of young Mamillius. Once again, Shakespeare is revealing his characters indirectly through what other people express about them. Hermione's resolution, courage and integrity given all toher, yet in some ways she is almost too ideal of a character, with no flaws granted her. In many ways, she is the most memorable character of the play.
Perdita
Perdita is in every way Hermione's flesh and blood. Brought up among peasants, she possesses the gifts of natural virtue rather than those of civilized virtue, possessed by her mother. She displays many virtues;honesty, graciousness, a love of nature, modesty.
Like her mother, Perdita is put on trial, during the debate about nature and art with Polixenes. She is a child of nature who practices natural virtue. She dislikes being "prank'd up" like a goddess.
Fearless as her mother at her trial, she argues courteously, but firmly with Polixenes. She naively proclaims that the same sun that shines on the court also shines on the shepherd's hut yet there is an element of practical truth about her observation. This is a rather bold statement but it indicates the existence of Perdita's royal blood.
Perdita is portrayed as a youthful foil to Hermione. However, she is a less important character. She is more fearful in some respects than Hermione yet she also fears the consequences that may befall Florizel with his love for her. Still, she manages to defend herself when necessary.
Polixenes
Polixenes is the king of Bohemia and a great friend of Leontes. On the whole, he is not a very fully developed character yet he plays an important role earlier in the play on bringing up the theme of friendship.
In the fourth Act, however, he begins to come into his own. He is largely used as a foil to Leontes. His suspicion of his son parallels Leontes' suspicion of Hermione. His anger at his son and his debate with Perdita also parallels the behavior of Leontes.His main function here is to reveal the fact that Perdita would not be considered a suitable mate for Florizel, despite her gifts of natural virtue.
On the whole, Shakespeare uses Polixenes to state many important opinions in the course of the play; on friendship, on nature and art, and on nobility.
Florizel
Florizel is the son of Polixenes, a young prince. He is honest, faithful and above all optimistic. While Perdita is not sure of the progress of their love, Florizel is confident that all will turn out well. He is willing to brave the disapproval of his father in getting married to Perdita.
Florizel believes that he can overcome all obstacles. Consequently, he tells the disguised Polixenes that he has no intention of telling his father about his marriage until it is a fact. In this statement, he shows a flash of royal arrogance as well as selfishishness. As a result, Polixenes' anger is intensified and his reason more clouded than might have been otherwise.
Florizel believes most highly in love and will do anything to marry Perdita. He is a highly resourceful young man who is a practical, courageous, and virtuous lover.
Camillo
Camillo is the wise and an honest counselor. Throughout the play, he is shown to be loyal, trustworthy and honest yet he is morally courageous. Consequently, he deserts Leontes when he cannot follow him in an immoral act. Polixenes appreciates this righteous man and relies greatly on his advice. He is more than willing to take Camillo with him when he returns to Bohemia.
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Camillo's marriage to the equally worthy and upright Paulina seems to be a well-earned reward for both of them. Marriage in this play symbolizes harmony as well as order.
Paulina
Paulina is a remarkable character. She is a loyal waiting woman of Hermione.It is she who thinks of various means to bring Leontes to a state of repentance. She defies her husband, Antigonus, who at times seems almost afraid of her, and even dares to argue with her. She thinks of taking the child to Leontes in the hope of softening his hard heart. Though the scheme failed, it clearly reveals the determination in the character of Paulina.
Fearless, she confronts the king fiercely when he is caught in his delusions about Hermione. At the end of the play, her magic brings Hermione back to life.
Antigonus
Husband of Paulina, Antigonus is a decent man who tries ineffectively to bring Leontes back to reason. Under oath to obey his king, he tries to defy Leontes concerning the fate of the innocent infant but he is outwitted by him. Antigonus carries the infant Perdita to the wilds of Bohemia and abandons her. The gods punish him for his part in the unjust act, and he is eaten by a bear. His death by a bear may be considered a kind of judgment on him for having been so willing to suspect Hermione and to follow Leontes' cruel command.
Mamillius
Praised by all at court as a boy of great promise, Mamillius is the charming and beloved heir of the Sicilian throne. He appears in only two scenes of the play, yet his identity is so well established. When he does make an entry, he is seen in a very merry and innocent state.He dies of grief after his father wrongly imprisons his mother.
Autolycus
Formerly in the service of Florizell, Autolycus is now a theif who cons innocent people out of their money yet Autolycus also has a function in the play. He manages to turn the old shepherd and the clown away from their intention of going immediately to the Bohemian king. In this way he helps to ensure the escape of the lovers.
Cleomenes and Dion
Lords in the Sicilian court, Cleomenes and Dion are sent by Leontes to consult the oracle of Apollo.
Summary of Act 1
Scene1
Scene One is a short conversation between Archidamus, a Bohemian courtier, and Camillo, a Sicilian courtier and trusted friend of Leontes. Archidamus praises the generous hospitality he has been treated to in Sicilia.Camillo talks about the friendship between Leontes and Polixenes, King of Bohemia. The two rulers were raised together since boyhood, although now their responsibilities as kings keep them apart. Both courtiers agree that Prince Mamillius of Sicilia shows great promise.
Scene 2
Polixenes proclaims his intent to return home. He has been staying as a guest in the court of Leontes for nine months. Leontes tries, without any success, to convince Polixenes to stay a short while longer. At Leontes' request, Hermione, Leontes' wife, tries to convince Polixenes to stay. She is persuasive, and Polixenes gives in. Hermione is extremely affectionate to Polixenes, treating him with great love because he is her husband's best and oldest friend. Leontes reveals that he is insanely jealous of Polixenes and Hermione. He is convinced that they are secretly committing adultery, although he has no hard evidence on which to base his suspicions. In full view of the others, he asks his young son Mamillius questions loaded with double meanings about whether or not the child is his. When Hermione and Polixenes ask if Leontes is feeling well, he replies that he is only unsettled because Mamillius reminds him of himself in the days of his own childhood. Leontes asks if Polixenes' son back in Bohemia is as dear as Mamillius, and Polixenes speaks of the great love he has for his own boy.
Leontes questions Camillo, who is clearly unaware of the king's suspicions. The king, convinced that Camillo is either stupid or playing dumb, grows irritated. When he finally tells Camillo of what he suspects, the advisor is horrified and does not believe it. Leontes' grows increasingly furious, and Camillo, seeing the king's conviction, seems to give in. At Leontes' expressed desire to see Polixenes dead of poison, he offers to carry out the task. His condition is that Leontes' keep the queen in her present status, and do nothing to stain her honor. The king agrees, and Camillo affirms again that he will poison Polixenes. He is a loyal courtier, but he believes Polixenes and Hermione are innocent. He resolves not to do it. Polixenes enters he asks Camillo about the change in the king's manner, and Camillo initially refuses to give a straightforward answer. When Polixenes continues to entreat Camillo, worried that his safety might be at risk, Camillo tells him the truth. He agrees to help Polixenes, using his authority as Leontes' most trusted advisor to ensure a safe escape for Polixenes and all of his men. Camillo says that he will serve at Polixenes' court, since in helping Polixenes he can no longer stay in Sicilia. Polixenes' ship has been ready for departure for days, and Polixenes assures Camillo that he will remember this service.
Act 2
Scene 1
Hermione sits with her ladies-in-waiting and Mamillius. Leontes enters with Antigonus and various lords. They are telling him about the flight of Camillo and Polixenes, and their news makes Leontes feel certain that his suspicions were correct. He now believes that Camillo was a double agent working for Polixenes. He has Mamillius taken from Hermione, and he cruelly insults Hermione in full view of the lords and Hermione's ladies. He says that she has committed adultery, and Hermione bears his insults with dignity. When he tells her that she is to be put in prison, she insists that her ladies accompany her because she is pregnant and needs their help. The lords cryas she is escorted out, and she tells them that they would have reason to cry if she were guilty. She brings her women with her as she goes to her prison.
Scene 2
Paulina, courtier and wife of Antigonus, tries to see the queen in her cell, but the guard will not let her pass. Instead, the jailer will allow Emilia, one of Hermione's ladies-in-waiting, to come out and speak for the queen. Emilia reveals that Hermione has had her baby, a healthy daughter. Paulina resolves to take the baby to the king, in hopes that the sight of his daughter will restore his senses to him. The jailer has anxieties about releasing the child, but Paulina convinces him that the baby should not be in prison. She also assures him that she will protect him from harm.
Scene 3
Leontes speaks of burning the queen to put his mind at rest. A servant enters, and from their conversation we learn that Prince Mamillius has been sick since his mother's imprisonment. Leontes tells the servant to tend to the boy. Since he cannot harm Camillo and Polixenes, he will satisfy himself by dealing with Hermione. Paulina enters, along with Antigonus, servants, and lords. She fearlessly confronts the king, defending the queen's innocence. She refuses to do anything but praise the queen's character. The king mocks Antigonus for being unable to control his wife, but Paulina brushes these comments aside. She tries to convince the king that the infant is his by pointing out the strong physical resemblance between the monarch and the child, but the king remains unmoved. He keeps telling Antigonus to control his wife better, but Antigonus does not bother trying. Paulina leaves the child, hoping that Leontes will soften and come to his senses. The king orders Antigonus to destroy the child. Leontes accuses Antigonus of instructing his wife to behave as she has, which Antigonus denies, with the lords backing his word. The king refuses to believe them. He asks Antigonus what he would be willing to sacrifice to save the child's life, and Antigonus replies that he would give anything. Leontes asks him to swear to do his bidding, in order to save the life of the child, and Antigonus swears. The king orders Antigonus to take the child and leave it in a wild and remote place, to be saved or killed according to the dictates of chance. If Antigonus does not do so, he and Paulina will both be executed. Antigonus is compelled to obey because he has given his word he goes to it miserably. A servant enters with the news that Dion and Cleomenes have arrived back from the oracle. Leontes announces his attention to have the queen put on trial.
Act 3
Scene 1
Cleomenes and Dion, the courtiers dispatched by Leontes to the oracle at Delphi, speak with wonder about the ceremony they witnessed at the shrine. They hope that the oracle's judgment will help Queen Hermione.
Scene 2
The court is delighted, but Leontes denounces the words of the oracle as false. But then a servant enters, bringing terrible news. Prince Mamillius is dead, killed by anxiety about his mother's fate. Hermione faints, and is helped out of the room by Paulina and several officers. Leontes is now fully penitent, asking the gods' forgiveness and promising to make amends. Paulina reenters and lashes out at the king, condemning his tyranny and jealousy. Hermione is dead. Paulina continues to rebuke the king harshly, but when she sees his grief and penitence she regrets her roughness. Leontes says that he will have queen and prince buried in the same grave, and he will grieve for the rest of his days.
Scene 3
Antigonus, carrying the baby, enters with a mariner. They have set down on the shores of Bohemia, and the sailor is nervous because the sky is threatening. He fears the gods are angry with them because of what they are doing, and he warns Antigonus not to wander too far or too long, because this land is famous for its wild beasts. After the sailor has left, Antigonus tells the baby that he saw Hermione's spirit last night in a dream. The ghost cried and then told him that the child's name is Perdita, because she is lost. Hermione's ghost also informed Antigonus that because of his hand in the child's abandonment, Antigonus will never see his wife again. Antigonus believes that the dream is a sign of Hermione's death. He has either come to believe or forced himself to believe Leontes' suspicions, and so he is abandoning the child in the wilds of Bohemia, the land of her supposed father. He leaves the child with a bundle and a box. He regrets his task, but he feels bound by his oath. Then he suddenly exits, pursued by a bear.
A shepherd wanders, complaining about young people and looking for two lost sheep; instead of finding them, he stumbles onto Perdita. He believes she must be the unwanted offspring of two servants, and he resolves to take care of her. The Shepherd and his son find that the box left with the baby is full of gold, and he now believes that the child is a changeling, a child left by fairies.
Sunday 7 October 2012
What role do prophecies and the gods play in the Winter's Tale?
What role do prophecies and the gods play in Winters Tale?
Throughout The Winter’s Tale, we are made aware that Kings and Queens, however powerful, are not in charge of their futures. Leontes’ refusal to acknowledge these higher powers brings swift retribution.The fact that The Winter’s Tale seems to be set in a pagan world is evident from Florizel’s recollections of the actions of the gods as he describes them to Perdita in act 4, scene 4:
"The gods themselves/Humbling their deities to love, have taken/The shapes of beast upon them: Jupiter/Became a bull, and bellow’d; the green Neptune/A ram, and bleated; and the fire-rob’d god,/Golden Apollo, a poor humble swain,/As I seem now." The most obvious evidence of the higher powers and of divine beings in The Winter’s Tale, is Apollo and his Oracle.
In The Winter’s Tale, the Oracle, a holy prophet, is consulted to determine Hermione’s innocence.The Oracle belonged to the Greek god Apollo and was consulted for truths and insights by Cleomenes and Dion,
the courtiers dispatched by Leontes about Hermione's infertility. Cleomenes and Dion hope that
the oracle's judgment will help Queen Hermione. Cleomenes and Dion then bring in the oracle's scroll into the trial which declares,
"Hermione is chaste, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true subject,
Leontes a jealous tyrant..." The Oracle in The Winter’s Tale offers both the truth and a warning to Leontes: “the King shall live without an heir if that which is lost be not found.” The Oracle clears Hermione of her accusations and cautions Leontes against his rage. Leontes does not pay attention to the warning, however, making the Oracle’s prophecy come true. His and wife die as a result.The "resurrection" of Hermoine in in act 5, is also presented as a supernatural
event. Paulina is anxious to avoid any implication that she
is bringing Hermoine back to life by the use of magical arts.
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