Character sketch

Camillo-he was the king’s servant (a noble man from sicilia) until he was accused of conspiring with Hermione to keep her affair a secret and refused to poison Polixenes. He fled with Polixenes to Bohemia.

Polixenes- he is the king of bohemia and a childhood friend of Leontes (the king of Sicilia). However,that friendship was corrupted when he fled from Leontes’ presence after being accused of cohabiting and impregnating Hermione.

Hermione-she is the wife of Leontes and the Queen of Sicilia. She is imprisoned after being accused by her husband of infidelity.She suddenly died from grief after her sons death.

Leontes is the protagonist of the play and the King of Sicilia. He is a ‘jealous tyrant’ who accused his wife of committing adultery with Polixnes who was his childhood friend. His jealousy led to the demise of his family.

Paulina-she is a faithful lady of Hermione from Sicilia. She is also the wife of Antigonus. she refuses to believe that Hermione is guilty and consequently remains with her.

Antigonus-he is the husband of paulina and the man who was put in charge of abandoning the baby(Perdita) belonging to Hermione and Leontes despite his belief in Hermione’s innocence.

Mamillius-the son of Hermione and Leontes who dies from grief which surfaced when his mother was imprisoned

Cleomenes-he is a lord of Sicilia who was sent to Delphi to retrieve the oracle’s prophecy

Dion-he is a lord of Sicilia who also went to collect the prophecy from the oracle with Cleomenes

Emilia-she is a lady of Paulina who Paulina visited at the prison when she was denied visitation to the Queen

Archidamus-he is a lord from Bohemia who began the play with Cleomenes describing the relationship that

existed between the two kings.

Perdita-She is the daughter of Hermione And Leontes who was sent by Leontes to be abandoned. she was found by  a Shepherd. she is the heir to Leontes’ throne whom the oracle told him he must find.

Clown-the son of the Sheperd

Shepherd-the man who found Perdita and raised her.

essay on attempts to mitigate leontes' jealousy in Winter's tale

 

QUESTION: For Homework: Go back through the play. What actions do people take to mitigate Leontes' jealousy, and do they work? Why or why (discussion Board) not? Write an essay that answers this question.

 

Leontes’ jealousy grew to an unbelievable level. at such a level no measure taken to mitigate his jealousy to the point of negating his actions worked. it is evident through the play that many people tried religiously but their contentment was no match for the jealousy of ‘the tyrant.’

In an effort to show Leontes that his accusations are false and his jealousy is unnecessary Antigonus confronted him. He warned Leontes by telling him “Be certain what you do, sir, lest your justice prove violence.” this  was in an effort of letting him know that if he is wrong there are consequences. Antigonus even went as far as to illustrate to Leontes that his wife cannot be such a person;that if his wife is an adulteress then “every dram of woman's flesh is false.”

The first lord also tried to mitigate Leontes’ jealousy by showing him that his accusations are false. he said “For her, my lord,I dare my life lay down and will do't, sir.....the queen is spotless.”

All of these efforts failed because of Leontes’ similar contentment. he thought for certain that he was right because all the evidence he had seemed to have been against Hermione but little did he know that his clouded judgment(of jealousy) formed figures in his imagination that would only seem to prove him right when he was wrong.

The opposition of these men to Leontes’ accusations forced him to seek spiritual counsel from an oracle. The oracles prophecy came from the god,Apollo. It declared Leontes to be totally wrong but Leontes still tried to deny it-“There is no truth at all i' the oracle.”

Indeed,contentment is a positive religious characteristic but Leontes was inaccurately content and was overly content. He was proud,he was boast,he thought he was right. He said “I am satisfied and need no more” but little did he know that his satisfaction was limited and needs were yet to come.

essay- the role of prophecies and gods in Winter's tale

Blog Oct. 4^th. 2012

1.      What role do prophecies and the gods play in the story? Cite specific examples from the play to support your answer

In most Shakespearre plays,  ‘the supernatural’ is a theme used to bring out an important aspect of the plot. This is no different in Winter’s Tale as phrophecies,God’s  and religious aspects in general, play a vital role in making the play a tragicomedy.

Act 3 of the play begins with a dialogue between Cleomenes and Dion who went to retrieve a prophecy from the oracle in Delphi. Their conversation brings to us the atmosphere of Delphi as they highlighted how wonderful and outstanding the island and its religion/temples were (“Fertile the isle, the temple much surpassing”). This is in contrast with the events to come as it portrays ‘the calm before the storm.’ the role of informing readers of the religious atmosphere alone was to show us the difference between Delphi and Sicilia where there is moral peace and immoral chaos respectively. In a sense it also foreshadows the oracle’s decision or the judgement of the God especially when it was said “Great Apollo-Turn all to the best!”

The prophecy itself plays an extremely important role. This is because it determines the future acts in relation to what happens to several characters,especially,Leontes. If it was not for the oracles prophecy the subsequent actions would not have much meaning since the false accusations would have continued. Leontes’ search or desire for redemption (important part of the play) would be unnecessary.

 Moreover,the intial role of the prophecy was to bring justice to Hermione for the loss or damage suffered to her reputation when she was called “an adulteress,” “a traitor,” “a bed swerver,” and other dishonourable things too numerous to mention.

In addition,the most obvious role of the God’s is to make the decision profound,binding and righteous . That way when Leontes is proven to be wrong it would be believed since it came from such a divine source. In essence it validates the judgement and makes Leontes seem more like the ‘jealous tyrant’ that he is.

These religious aspects help to make the plot of ‘Winter’s Tale’ much more interesting and meaningful. Their role is to justify and to prove the importance of trust and not being consumed by the destroyer or relationships known as jealousy.

Study questions on act 3

Short Answer Questions - Act 3, Scene 1
1. When Cleomenes says "fertile the isle/the temple much surpassing", what is he referring to?He is referring to the island (Delphi)they went to to visit the oracle stating that it is either productive in general(resourceful) or production in terms of its bearing and how outstanding the temples and religion are.

2. In what city is the Oracle located?The oracle is located in Delphi

3. In what country is the Oracle located?The oracle is located in Delphi

4. How many characters speak in Act three, scene one? There are two characters in scene one.

5. What is one of the topics of conversation between the men in Act three, scene one? One of the topis is the religious atmosphere in Delphi.

6. What do the men, in Act three, scene one, want the Oracle to say?The men want the oracle to say that the queen is innocent.

7. How do the men, in Act three, scene one, say the journey to the Oracle is?They say that the journey to the oracle was pleasant,rare and speedy

8. Act three, scene one offers more support for the proposition that the king is the only person who thinks that Hermione is what? It offers support that the king is the only person that thinks that Hermoine is an adultress.

9. Who is the God the Oracle is dedicate to?  The God by which the oracle is dedicated to is Apollo.

10. What does "Apollo's great divine seal" refer to? It refers to Apollo's (the God's) devination which is in the letter being taking back to the king.

11. At the end of Act three, scene one, what do the men get to make their journey home faster? The men got fresh horses to make the journey faster

12. What do the men, in Act three, scene one, think of forcing faults on Hermione? The men think that forcing faults on Hermione is terrible and do not like it over all.

Short Answer Questions - Act 3, Scene 2
1. What does Leontes call for at the beginning of the trial?At the beginning of the trial Leontes called for 'the prisoner' and then he called for the indictment to be read.

2. What is one of the charges laid against Hermione at her trial? One of the charges being held against Hermione is committing adultry with Polixenes

3. What does Hermione think is sufficient proof of her innocence? Hermione thinks that the fact that she is unhappy for the first time is proof of her innocence.

4. What does Hermione say makes her life not worth living? She says that the grief of being accused of not having honour in relation to her moral obligation as a wife

5. Hermione tells her husband that his accusations exists only where? She tells him that his accusations only exists in his dreams

6. Who reads, at the trial, what the Oracle says?The oracles declarations were read by an officer.

7. How does the Oracle characterize Leontes? The oracle characterised Leontes as a jealous tyrant.

8. What does the king live without, according to the Oracle, if that which is lost be not found?The oracle declared that the king would live without an heir if is daughter is not found.

9. Who tells the king that Mamillius dies? A servant informs the king about his sons death

10. What does Hermione do when she hears the news that Mamillius dies?Hermione faints when she hears about her sons death

11. Who tells the king that the queen dies?Paulina informs the king of the queens death.

12. How many times does Leontes say he visits the graves of his wife and son?He said he would visit their graves once a day.

study questions on winter's tale (h.w)

1. How long does Polixenes stay with Leontes and Hermione?
Polixenes stayed with Leonted and Hermione for 9 months

2. What does Polixenes worry happens to his kingdom if he stays away too long?
He worries that is kingdom will lose its order or will be conquered.

3. How does Leontes reassure Polixenes that everything is well in his kingdom?


4. Hermione says that Polixenes can stay with them as their guest or as what?
she said he could stay as a guest or as a prisoner

5. Polixenes says that, as children, what sin does he and Leontes commit?
polixenes says that they were too innocent to sin but since then they have been subjectt to temptation

6. Polixenes tells Hermione that he and Leontes sin because they haven't met whom?
Because they had not met their current wives yet.

7. Who is Maxillius' father?
Leontes is Maxillius' father.

8. What feeling does Leontes have towards Polixenes after seeing him touch his wife's arm?
Leontes became extremely jealous,angry andd suspiscious.

9. Why does Leontes first get angry with Camillo?
He first got angry because he believed that Camillo knew about the affair between his wife and his friend and did not inform him.

10. How does Leontes plan to kill Polixenes?
 Leontes planned to kill Polixenes by poisoning him

11. Who does Leontes get to agree to kill Polixenes?
Camillo agreed to killing Polixenes.


12. What does Polixenes invoke to get Camillo to tell him Leontes' plan?


Short Answer Questions - Act 2, Scene 1
1. What does Hermione whisper in Mamillius' ear before Leontes enters?

2. Who tells Leontes that Polixenes and Camillo run off together?
The Lords informed about Polixenes and Camillo running off together.

3. Who does Leontes order to take Mamillius away from Hermione?
Antigonus was told to take Mamillius away.

4. What does Hermione deny after Leontes accuses her of having an affair?
She denied being impregnated by Polixenes

5. Who does Leontes consider Hermione's accomplice in her affair?
He considers Polixenes to be Hermoines accomplice

6. When Leontes imprisons Hermione, who does she take with her?
Hermoine took her attendants with her when she was imprisoned.

7. What does everyone think about Hermione, except her husband?
Everyone thinks that Hermoine is a good lady and is innocent of the claims made by the husband

8. Antigonus says that if Hermione is adulterous, then no other woman is what?
Antigonus said that if Hermoine is adulterous then no other woman is real,truthful but rather false.

9. How many daughters does Antigonus have?

10. If Hermione is adulterous, what does Antigonus want to do to his daughters?

11. What does Leontes send men to get from the Oracle?
He sends men to get the truth from the oracle on whether his wife is an adulterer etc.

12. How many men does Leontes send to the Oracle?
Leontes sent 2 men to the oracle.

elizebethan theatre

In 1558 when Elizabeth the first gained the throne actors had no defined theatres. After laws were passed it was made unlawful for actors to tour and perform without support of a member of the highest ranks of the nobility. In order for actors to perform a theatre was built.Such indoor theatres were called playhouses.
 There are basically two main types of Elizabethan theatres: the public amphitheatre buildings such as the Theatre, the Globe, the Curtain and the Swan which were similar in that they were open to the sky, smaller and more expensive. The other is the private theatres such as Blackfriars and the Cockpit which were built to a hall design in enclosed and usually rectangular buildings like theatres that exist today.
‘The Theatre’ was the first theatre that was built in 1576.  It was built by the Earl of Leicester’s players who were led by James Burbage.
However, ‘the theatre’ met its demise in 1597 when it was torn to pieces. Fortunately, six months later it was rebuilt and renamed ‘the Globe.’ many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed at ‘the Globe.’
The original globe theatre was built in 1599 but in 1613, when a cannon fired as a part of a performance of Henry viii ignited theatres thatched roof, it burnt down. It was later rebuilt but the Puritans had it permanently closed in 1642.
The Elizabethan theatres that followed took on many plays by a few playwrights such include:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.
Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.
Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.
Henry V by William Shakespeare.
Richard III by William Shakespeare.
Edward II by Christopher Marlowe.
Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.
Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe.
The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd.
Every Man in His Humour by Ben Jonson - the version set in Italy, the other was Jacobean.
The Shoemaker’s Holiday by Thomas Dekker.
A Woman Killed with Kindness by Thomas Heywood.
King Leir (Anonymous) - the play on which Shakespeare based his own Jacobean King Lear.
Arden of Faversham (Anonymous).

FIRST LIT CLASS

A theme is the main or dominant idea in a piece of art or in this case,literature. It is the main thought which the writer is seeking to depict through words,images and the various illustrations used.

1.  Friendship to me personally, is more than just a relationship. It is an unfettered, undisputed bond between persons who (though they may not be blood related) are so closely knitted that they could be mistaken as being relatives. With that being said, it can already be recognized that a great deal of value is placed on friendship because it is my friends that help to motivate me each day.

2.      2. Though I have had several childhood friends and best friends, to be specific, none of them are still my best friends today. This is because we lost communication after we dispersed to different schools.

3.       3.Without loyalty proper relationships would not exist and this is in my opinion. Loyalty is a very important principle that I build my life on as I strive to maintain good relationships with people and most of all a good relationship with God. With such an obligation to Him, loyalty takes up an even greater roll and therefore means a lot to me.

4.       4.If my best friend were to betray me I would not be happy, in fact, I would be terribly upset. However, depending on the extent of the betrayal there wouldn’t be much to do but to restrain our friendship and slowly rebuild it.

5.       5.Around last year I had a best friend who was male and be built a very strong friendship. However, our friendship manifested into something more-we began liking each other. This is one of the cons of being best friends with someone of the opposite sex. Furthermore, our friendship became much more and things began to develop to a point where we were basically dating. After a month or so I found out that he liked my best friend. Then I was told that he only wanted her and he was using me until he got to her and I believed and basically through a silent tantrum. However, I later found out that that was not the case I was just a victim or circumstance.

6.      6. I cannot say if I was ever cheated on because I never witnessed such actions.

7.      7. If the betrayer was my best friend then that means that he/she disregarded the loyalty factor that should have existed in our relationship and I would have to break off the friendship.

8.       8.About a year ago I would probably operate on the principle ‘an eye for an eye’ when it comes to payback. However after undergoing spiritual change I would not seek to payback anyone.

9.       9.A few years ago my friend told me that she liked a guy and me and that guy became best friends a while after that. During our friendship she made it seem as though she did not like him anymore and I began to like him. I ensured that I told her and she upheld a ‘don’t care’ façade. So I continued in my relationship with the guy only to realize that she still liked him and was hurting terribly from it.

     10. I would say that I already received the punishment that I would give to myself because I went through heart ache when I lost her as friend. I had many sleepless nights and teary mornings but fortunately she is now my close friend again.