Hermione in A Winter´s Tale by Shakespeare Essay - 543 Words

Shakespeare’s play, A Winter’s Tale, has many magical and mystical elements throughout. A Winter’s Tale is true to form as one of Shakespeare’s romances. There are tragic scenes in the beginning with a romantic and joyful twist at the end. One such question raised in this play is whether Hermione, Queen of Sicily truly died and resurrected or was alive throughout the play. It is hard to take a position on either fronts of this question because Shakespeare uses many mystical elements that play into the very question itself. Hermione, wife of Leontes King of Sicily, is accused by her beloved husband of adultery at the beginning of the play. Leontes is distraught and will not listen to anyone about the innocence of his wife. He orders his†¦show more content†¦Paulina however has Leontes promise that he will not marry again. This scene gives clues that Hermione may not be dead, as Paulina gives the inclination that he should wait for the resurrection of his wife. As the scene follows in Paulina’s home, she reveals the statue created to depict an aged Hermione. There is great detail in the art which overwhelms Leontes, where Paulina offers to draw the curtain. Leontes rejects her offer and in that instance Paulina cues for dramatic music and the statue comes to life. The last scene can be interrupted in many different ways. It is true to form in Shakespeare’s plays that there is an element of magic and mystery. Paulina could be the magical witch in the play where she has the powers to resurrect Hermione from the dead. It does however seem more likely that Hermione was alive throughout the play. When Hermione was said to be dead of a broken heart, she did so off stage. There was only word that she was not dead, it was not seen. This could be interpreted that Hermione was sent into hiding. She could be in hiding for various reasons such as to teach her wrongfully accusing husband a lesson, or to wait for her reunion w ith her daughter. When Paulina asks for Leontes to promise that he will not marry again, she is almost setting up for Hermione’s return to the play. Although it is not to off to think that the resurrection of Hermione was a magical miracle, there is more evidence to show that she was truly aliveShow MoreRelatedThe Winter s Tale : A Patriarchal Theme And Stereotyped Gender Roles1599 Words   |  7 Pages In The Winter’s Tale there is a patriarchal theme and stereotyped gender roles. Most of these roles, being administered and centered around one character, Leontes, the king of Sicily. The basic ideas of a renaissance man were a big theme in the play. These ideas were that all women must sit quietly, respectfully, and be obedient then they’re terrible hags who must be punished. Leontes is a great example of this renaissance man mentality he gives light to that idea in the ways he treats all ofRead More The Dark Comic Vision of Shakespeares The Winters Tale Essay1752 Words   |  8 PagesThe Dark Comic Vision of The Winter’s Tale      Ã‚  Ã‚   Although Shakespeare’s plays are generally categorized according to their adherence to the formulaic definitions of histories, romances, comedies, or tragedies, there are several plays that complicate the task of fitting neatly into these groupings. Many literary critics, in fact, have singled out a handful of plays and labeled them ‘Problem Plays’ because they do not fall easily into any of the four categories, though they do loosely adhereRead MoreEssay on Power of Men in William Shakespeares The Winters Tale3919 Words   |  16 PagesPower of Men in William Shakespeares The Winters Tale It has been said that in The Winters Tale Shakespeare dramatises the contemporary struggle between masculine and feminine power. In light of this comment, examine the presentation of the relationships between men and women. Despite their many differences, contemporary society is now only beginning to realise their equal and respective roles in society. Since the beginning of time a contemporary struggle for equality has been presentRead MoreLady Macbeth By William Shakespeare1520 Words   |  7 Pages(Quote) In many of his plays, William Shakespeare portrays women as more virtuous than men. Lady Macbeth, strong ambitious women who’s confidence, faithful and capable of almost anything. For example, in endless love, we notice the endless love they both share for each other, where fate still brought them back together even after all the influences affecting jade’s life, the overpowering of her father.More similarly, in The Winter s Tale, we witness Hermione patiently enduring her miserable plightRead MoreLady Macbeth By William Shakespeare1299 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s plays, he portrays women more honourable than men. Lady Macbeth is one of the main antagonist, she’s a strong ambitious women who’s strives with confidence and capable of almost anything. For example in the winter tale, the main antagonist Hermonie, we can interpret that Hermione patiently despairing the dilemma within the hands of the dominant Leontes. On the other hand we see that very few of Shakespeare’s villains are female. In most of Shakespeare’s written pieces, he seems to highly supportRead MoreHAMLET AND ORESTES10421 Words   |  42 Pages07 1 THE BRITISH ACADEMY THE ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE LECTURE 1914 Hamlet and Orestes A Study in Traditional Types By Gilbert Murray, LL.D., D.Litt. Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford Fellow of the Academy New York Oxford University Press American Branch 35 West 32nd Street London : Humphrey Milford THE BRITISH ACADEMY THE ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE LECTURE 1914 Hamlet and Orestes A Study in Traditional Types By Gilbert MurrayRead MoreChildrens Literature13219 Words   |  53 PagesIntroduction 3 2. Early History 6 The Greek and Roman Eras: 50 B.C.-A.D. 500 6 The Middle Ages: 500-1500 6 The Renaissance: 1500-1650 7 The Rise of Puritanism and John Locke: Late 1600s 8 3. Beginning of Children’s Literature: Late 1700s 10 4. Fairy and Folk Tales 12 The Golden Age of Children’s Literature: Late 1800s 12 5. Victorian Childrens Literature 16 6. Contemporary Childrens Literature 18 6. Analysis of Harry Potters’ series 21 7. Conclusion 30 8. Summary 31 Children’s Literature Definitions 31 The