The Winter's Tale
Study Questions
Discuss the changes in mood, plot and imagery that occur between Act I-III and Act IV-V.
Discuss the role of setting in the play.
Analyze the character of Autolycus, and discuss his role in the play.
Analyze the character of Perdita, and her relationship to nature.
Discuss the role of divine intervention in the play, especially the miracle scene and the Delphic Oracle.
Discuss the role of women in the play, and their relationships with their husbands/lovers.
Analyze the character of Camillo. What is his function in the play?
Would you categorize The Winter's Tale with Shakespeare's comedies, or his tragedies? Some scholars have grouped it with The Tempest, Pericles, and Cymbeline as a "romance." Would you agree with this grouping? Why or why not? /QUESTION
Not a Miracle, but a Trick
by kcmurdarasi, August 18, 2012
The statue of Hermione at Paulina's house is not a real statue that comes to life by a miracle, it is actually Hermione herself. King Leontes thought she was dead (he had seen her 'corpse' - in reality just her unconscious body) but in fact she had been concealed by Paulina for the last sixteen years.
There are lots of hints the in preceeding scenes that Hermione is in fact alive. Pauline makes sure the King promises to marry no-one except a woman she shall choose, who shall be as good as the late Queen - although, of course, no such ... Read more→
133 out of 139 people found this helpful
1The Best of Shakespeare's Comedies.
by ReadingShakespearefor450th, March 11, 2013
This play is great: engaging, funny, sad, thoughtful. Lots of great characters—mostly good—including my nominee for best comic relief character (“Autolycus, a rogue”) in a Shakespearean comedy.
I'm reading, reacting to and blogging on all Shakespeare plays by his 450th in April 2014. See my blog on "The Winter's Tale":







