Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale

Dear Dr. Sonheim, While we have read Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale together, this time I enjoyed reading it much more. Instead of wondering what would happen, I was able to focus more intently on the characters. Although I remembered her role in unveiling Hermione’s statue, I did not really begin to recognize the significance of Paulina’s character until I read the play for a second time. Because she does not appear until Act II, scene 2 and is present in only three of the five acts, Paulina seems to be no more than a minor character.

Nonetheless, Paulina’s action is critical to the plays classification as a tragicomedy, and her depth of character make her a lovely candidate for best-supporting actress. In the first three acts, which constitute the plays tragic storyline, Paulina proves a loyal friend to Hermione and a decided woman. Her first appearance presents her addressing the jailer, who acknowledges that he knows her “[f]or a worthy lady / And one who much I honor” (II, ii, 8-9). Despite recognizing her admirable character, the jailer cannot allow Paulina to see Hermione.

However, her determination to at least see one of Hermione’s attendants in order to check on the imprisoned queen demonstrates Paulina’s devotion. When meeting with Emilia, Paulina shows herself smart and strong-willed. She exclaims to Emilia, “I dare be sworn. / These dangerous unsafe lunes i’ th’ King, beshrew them! / He must be told on’t, and he shall. The office / Becomes a woman best. I’ll take ‘t upon me” (II, ii, 35-40). She reasons that presenting the baby to Leontes will soften his heart, causing him to see the absurdity of his jealous thoughts.

While everyone else stands by and allows Leontes to accuse Hermione of an obviously illogical act, Paulina takes action. In the following scene, Paulina displays that she is not only willing to defend her friend among servants, but is also willing to carry out her plans among elite men. Upon entering the king’s chambers, Paulina addresses the lords sarcastically: “Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me. / Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, / Than the Queen’s life? ” (II, iii, 31-33). Again, Paulina shows herself as a strong female character in a patriarchal society.

After Paulina does not leave when she is told to and Leontes reprimands Antigonus for allowing his wife to behave in such a domineering way, Antigonus confirms his wife’s strong-willed nature: “When she will take the rein I let her run / But she’ll not stumble” (II, iii, 62-63). Paulina continues expressing her opinion that Leontes is being illogical and unfair despite being threatened with punishments, including burning. Nothing the men say or do can quiet her. She decides on her own when she has finished her reprimand. In Act III, scene 2, Paulina’s loyalty is again displayed. Her pain at the loss of her queen is great.

She moves quickly from anger to sorrow, proclaiming first that Leontes sins are too great to be forgiven then following the condemnation with an apology. Perhaps Paulina shows greatest sorrow by denouncing her own actions, which brings about a change in character: “Alas, I have showed too much / The rashness of a woman. [… ] I beseech you, rather / Let me be punished, that have minded you / Of what you should forget” (III, iii, 244-45, 249-50). Paulina’s last words before the passage of time, “And I’ll say nothing,” present a different woman, one who has succumbed to the woman’s role.

She no longer seems as resolute as she once was. After the sixteen years between the plays tragic and comedic acts pass, Paulina appears in Act V as a gentler woman. Her change mimics Leontes change, as the two seem to have been united as friends through Hermione’s death. Paulina remains loyal to Hermione and is still quick to share her opinions, but her words seem to come with less sting. Although she has altered her opinion so as to hold Leontes responsible for Hermione’s death once again, Paulina shares Leontes’s grief: True, too true, my lord. / If one by one you wedded all the world, / Or from the all that are took something good / To make a perfect woman, she you killed / Would be unparalled. ” (V, i, 14-19)

While Paulina’s words do remind Leontes of his hurt, he has found favor in Paulina and has come to recognize her as a wise woman. In fact, he swears that he will never marry again unless Paulina consents. Paulina, although more delicate, is still influential. Paulina’s influence is most important in the final scene of the play.

In fact, although Perdita returns, if Paulina does not call Hermione’s statue to life, the tragic nature of the play would loom. Since Hermione’s mistreatment and death is the focus of much of the play, she must be present in the end. The play’s ending is comedic, of course, as the characters seem to live happily ever after. Mamillius does not have to be resurrected as both kingdoms have an heir in the much-in-love Perdita and Florizell, Polixenes and Leontes have restored their friendship, Hermione has been resurrected to live with her king, and Paulina is betrothed to Camillo.

While Paulina is provided a companion, Leontes’s choosing her a husband seems an antithesis to Paulina’s strong female character. Until this point, she has been a feminine voice directing the patriarch, but she is suddenly willing to submit. Perhaps her decided nature is only an aspect of her loyalty to Hermione, but I (although I am a hopeless romantic) am personally a bit disappointed in this unquestioned marriage. I probably would have been more pleased if Antigonus returned as well, but I am not that enthralled with Camillo’s taking Paulina’s hand. Oh well, I suppose most women are weak when it comes to love.