Leontes as a tyrant

The conspicuous lack of background information on Leontes' character may support the idea that Leontes is a tyrannical leader. Because we have no indication that he is truly a good friend, or a good leader, we may conclude that he is a treacherous, evil man throughout the play. The one contradiction may lie in Polixenes' speech about their youth together, wherein they were described as completely innocent. At the end of this speech however, we learn that they can no longer claim innocence. Furthermore, in the first scene, we are immediately confronted with the idea of poison (sleepy drinks), which is precisely what Leontes plans to use in his murder of his former friend. 

Skepticism in the Winter's Tale

It is obvious (and frequently discussed) that Leontes' skepticism is taken too far, and this leads to his demise. His reluctance to fall for anyone else's deception makes especially gullible toward his own thoughts. Although his thoughts are borne from no proof or evidence, he thoroughly believes them. Polixenes is also very skeptical, but his skepticism leads to his salvation rather than his sin. When Camillo says that he "dare not" know what is causing Leontes' bad mood, Polixenes is immediately alert to the fact that he avoids the words "do not." He then uses his other senses to confirm this belief (sees Camillo's blush). I think that this inclusion of other senses saves Polixenes from becoming too skeptical, and this difference causes the difference in their fates. While Leontes is driven to dangerous jealousy, Polixenes is simply led home.

Poison and sickness in Othello

Iago is described as being sick in several instances in this play. He makes reference to his own sickness when he says that the thought of Othello does "gnaw at his innards" like a poison. Later, his wife describes whomever must be planting jealous thoughts in Othello's mind as "a scurvy fellow." While this comment may seem innocuous at first glance, it is repeated later when Roderigo calls Iago's plan scurvy. The OED provides two definitions for scurvy. It can either refer to a bad man or to a skin disease. This shows that the sickness of jealousy begins in Iago who later infects Othello. Do you think this initial sickness gives Iago any excuse?

Autolycus - The Winters Tale

While preparing for tomorrows final exam I read more in depth on the character of Autolycus. I found it fascinating that he was a lovable, but amoral, rogue, however his amoral actions are directly responsible for the happy outcome of the play. If Autolycus had not scared Clown and the Shepard out of their wits with his threats of torture and death, thereby convincing them to flee to Sicilia they could not have turned out with evidence that Perdita was in fact not the Shepard's daughter but King Leontes's lost child. If they had not been there then Polixenes would have most certainly not approved of Florizel's and Perdita's marriage. I think that it is fancinating that this rogue, but not a villian, through his deeds that are most certainly not good created an ending to the play that is happy. My question is why did Shakespeare decide to do this? Why include this character at all? Couldn't have the Shepard and Clown have decided on their own that Polixenes was going to kill them and decide to flee? Why should his ignoble actions result in a very happy and desirable ending?

Hermione's Silence

How do you all interpret Hermione’s silence towards Leontes after they are reunited? After she comes back to life (or just comes back to Leontes, whichever) why does she address only the gods and then Perdita alone? You would think she would have something of significance to say to the husband that not only caused her so much pain, but that she hasn’t seen for 16 years. I reason it could be interpreted 2 ways: 1, she hasn’t really forgiven him, or at least not as much as he’d hope, or 2, you can interpret it positively and think of it as happiness beyond words. Silence could have its own eloquence, I suppose, or maybe it’s just that nothing needs to be said. What do you all think?

Leontes' character

Some of Leontes mood changes seemed to happen so fast that I had a hard time believing them. He starts out calm with his suspicion of his wife’s infidelity, but that just explodes into wanting to destroy his family. Then when he succeeds in doing that he suddenly feels sorry for it. None of these emotions really seem genuine to me since the only reason his requests get followed through with is because he’s king and they are so brief. I’m kind of glad that the story just breaks off at the end of one of his fits and switches tone to characters who are more stable. Even when he is reintroduced as a repentant king I’m still not convinced that he’s truly sorry, especially at the end when there’s that moment when he thinks his wife really did cheat on him. Out of all the tyrant kings that we have read about Leontes is the least well-defined or believable one.