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.