The Winter's Tale (21 page)

Archidamus and Camillo discuss the relationship between Bohemia and Sicilia. Archidamus comments on the “great difference” between the kingdoms. The deliberate placing of Sicilia and Bohemia at “the ends of opposed winds” leads the way for other “opposites” in the play, such as court versus country and comedy versus tragedy.

Lines 1–131:
Polixenes intends to return home after a nine-month visit to Sicilia. Leontes begs him to stay. Their exchange is courtly, emphasizing the public nature of their roles and the setting, although their references to each other as “brother” suggest a deep personal friendship. Leontes draws his pregnant wife, Hermione, into the conversation and she adds her own pleas that Polixenes will stay. Her language is playful and affectionate toward both men as she reminds them of their childhood friendship. Polixenes' response is lighthearted as he describes himself and Leontes as “twinned lambs that did frisk i'th'sun,” an image of innocence (and perhaps a harbinger of its loss). Although Hermione joins in with his banter, Leontes' responses are markedly brief. Polixenes agrees to stay and Leontes says that his wife has only spoken “once” “To better purpose,” which was when she agreed to be his “for ever” by marrying him. Polixenes and Hermione walk apart and Leontes watches them.

Lines 132–244:
Leontes' aside reveals the intense emotions that have been concealed by his courtly manner. He shows his suspicion and jealousy of Polixenes and Hermione, observing that their relationship is “Too hot, too hot!” (one of many motifs linked to heat and coldness). Although there seems little evidence, he has convinced himself that they are having an affair, and his anger is evident in his
disjointed speech and base sexual imagery. He turns to his son, Mamillius, and asks if he is indeed his “calf.” The boy responds artlessly, emphasizing his childhood innocence in comparison to the jealousies of the adult world. Leontes finds some reassurance in the boy's similarity to himself. Polixenes and Hermione notice that he is “unsettled,” but he denies it, commenting on Mamillius' similarity to himself as a child, and inquiring after Polixenes' own son. He says that he will walk with Mamillius and asks Hermione to entertain Polixenes, commenting aside that he is “angling now,” introducing the motif of entrapment. He watches them, jealously interpreting their smallest actions as signs of love. Camillo arrives and Leontes sends Mamillius away.

Lines 245–403:
Leontes informs Camillo that Polixenes “will yet stay longer.” Camillo innocently comments that it was Hermione who made him change his mind. Leontes' aside shows that he assumes that the whole court is “whisp'ring” about him. He confuses Camillo with questions about Polixenes and court rumors, before telling him his suspicions. Leontes insists that Camillo must have heard talk about his “slippery” wife, but Camillo is shocked and refuses to hear his “sovereign mistress clouded so.” He urges Leontes to be “cured / Of this diseased opinion,” raising a recurring motif of sickness. Leontes asks Camillo to poison his friend. Camillo refuses, reiterating his belief in Hermione's innocence, but Leontes flies into a rage and Camillo agrees, but only on condition that Leontes return afterward to a normal relationship with Hermione. Camillo urges Leontes to show “a countenance as clear / As friendship wears at feasts,” raising the motif of deceptive appearances.

Lines 404–532:
Alone, Camillo considers his dilemma: he must either kill Polixenes (thus committing regicide) or be disloyal to his king. As he muses that either option means “a break-neck” for him, Polixenes arrives. He is confused, as Leontes has just walked away without speaking to him. He questions Camillo, whose ambiguous reply of “I dare not know” rouses his suspicions. Polixenes demands that Camillo tell him the truth and Camillo confesses that he has been appointed to murder Polixenes by Leontes, who believes that he has “touched his queen / Forbiddenly.” He believes Polixenes when
he protests his innocence, but points out that it would be easier to stop the tides than convince Leontes. Camillo suggests that Polixenes leave quickly, and that he will help him depart in secret if Polixenes will take him into his service. Polixenes agrees.

Lines 1–42:
Hermione's attendants tease Mamillius. Hermione asks Mamillius to tell her a “merry” story, but he says that “A sad tale's best for winter,” drawing attention to the play's title, and the opposing genres of comedy and tragedy. As he begins to whisper the story in his mother's ear (a visual reminder of the imagined rumors in the previous scene), Leontes arrives.

Lines 43–147:
Leontes takes Polixenes' and Camillo's departure as proof of his suspicions. His paranoia seems to be escalating as he claims that not only did they conceal the supposed affair, but that there is “a plot” against his “life” and his “crown.” He tells an attendant to take Mamillius away before accusing Hermione of being pregnant with Polixenes' child. Astonished, Hermione denies it, but Leontes makes a public declaration of her adultery and treachery. He orders that she be taken “to prison.” Hermione reiterates her innocence. Remaining dignified and calm, she asks the assembled lords to judge her with “thoughts so qualified as your charities” and requests that her ladies may attend her in prison as she is so heavily pregnant.

Lines 148–232:
Antigonus warns Leontes that his whole family will “suffer” if he is wrong. The Lords state their belief in Hermione's innocence and Antigonus suggests that “some putter-on” has deceived Leontes. Leontes will not listen and tells them that he has sent Cleomenes and Dion to the oracle of Apollo's temple in “sacred Delphos.” He claims that the oracle's “spiritual counsel” will reveal the truth.

Antigonus' wife, Paulina, arrives at the prison. Her outspoken character is evident as she criticizes the rules that prevent her from seeing
the queen. She asks to speak to one of Hermione's attendants and the jailer goes to fetch Emilia, who brings news that Hermione has given birth to a daughter. Emilia reports that Hermione says that she is as innocent as her newborn child, reinforcing the oppositions
of innocence/guilt and childhood/adulthood that were established earlier. Paulina curses the “unsafe lunes” of the king and decides that she will tell him of his daughter's birth. She tells Emilia to ask Hermione if she may take the baby to Leontes, suggesting that “he may soften at the sight o'th'child.” Emilia says that Hermione has had the same idea, and goes to ask.

Lines 1–45:
Leontes reveals that he has not rested “Nor night nor day” and his fragmented speech and violent imagery show his disordered mind. He regrets that Polixenes “the harlot king” is safe “beyond” his reach, but comments that Hermione is not: he can “hook” her to him and have his revenge. A servant brings news of Mamillius, who is unwell. Leontes blames Mamillius' sickness on his mother's “dishonour” and sends the servant back to his son. As his thoughts return to paranoia and revenge, Paulina enters, carrying the baby. The Lords try to keep her away, saying that Leontes has not slept and does not wish to be disturbed. She points out that their indulgence of Leontes' whims will just “Nourish the cause of his awaking.” Insisting that she will speak to him “with words as medicinal as true,” she addresses Leontes.

Lines 46–157:
Leontes blames Antigonus for Paulina's intrusion, asking if he cannot “rule” his wife, raising issues of power and patriarchy and his own desire for control over Hermione. Paulina reports that the “good queen” has given birth to a daughter, and lays the baby before Leontes. Furious, Leontes commands Antigonus to pick up the “bastard” and give it to Paulina, but Paulina forbids her husband to touch the “princess.” When Antigonus obeys his wife, Leontes mocks him and calls everyone “a nest of traitors.” He orders that both Paulina and the baby should be burned. Paulina draws the Lords' attention to the fact that the baby is “a copy” of Leontes, emotively
describing the fragile perfection of the child as she does so. Leontes orders Antigonus to remove his wife from the chamber, but Paulina remains in control, insisting that she will go of her own accord.

Lines 158–242:
Leontes accuses Antigonus of treachery and orders him to take the baby away and burn it within the hour, or he himself will “dash out” its “bastard brains.” The Lords beg Leontes to spare the baby. Leontes asks Antigonus what he will do to save the baby's life, and Antigonus bravely replies “Anything,” declaring that he would die “To save the innocent.” Leontes makes him swear an oath and orders him to take the baby to “some remote and desert place” and abandon it there. Antigonus, bound by his oath, leaves with the child. A servant brings the news that Cleomenes and Dion have returned from the oracle. Leontes orders a public trial for Hermione.

Cleomenes and Dion discuss the beauty and calmness of Delphos, a contrast to the tension and conflict in the Sicilian court. They hope that the sealed proclamation from Apollo will prove “successful to the queen.”

Lines 1–128:
Leontes admits that the trial of Hermione “pushes” against his heart. He expresses his desire that a public trial will clear him of “being tyrannous.” Hermione is brought in, accompanied by her attendants and Paulina. The indictment against her is read: she is accused of treason “in committing adultery with Polixenes,” of “conspiring with Camillo” to kill Leontes, and of helping Camillo and Polixenes to escape. Hermione responds by pointing out that, as her integrity is already “counted falsehood,” her plea of “Not guilty” will not be believed. She insists that the “powers divine” know her innocence. Leontes accuses her of bearing “a bastard by Polixenes” and informs her that the baby has been “cast out.” He tells her to “Look for no less than death.” Hermione claims that she does not
fear dying, as it cannot be any worse than her current suffering, and calls upon the judgment of Apollo. The oracle's proclamation is sent for.

Lines 129–163:
Cleomenes and Dion bring in the proclamation, which declares that “Hermione is chaste, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true subject” and that Leontes is “a jealous tyrant.” Everyone is relieved, but Leontes declares the proclamation to be a “falsehood” and insists that the trial continue. As he does so, a servant brings the news that Mamillius is dead. Suddenly, Leontes sees that he has been wrong and unjust: Mamillius' death is Apollo's judgment upon him. Hermione faints and is carried out as Leontes declares that he has “too much believed [his] own suspicion.”

Lines 164–260:
As Leontes realizes the full extent of his wrongs, Paulina launches an attack on the “tyranny” and “jealousies” that have led Leontes to betray Polixenes and poison “Camillo's honour.” She reminds him that he has cast “forth to the crows” his baby daughter and that his son is dead, before revealing that Hermione has also died. She tells Leontes to “despair,” as no amount of prayer will “move the gods” to look favorably upon him. Leontes accepts Paulina's criticism, but a Lord tells her to “Say no more.” Paulina relents when she sees that Leontes “is touched / To th'noble heart” and asks him to forgive her. She promises never to speak again of Hermione or the children, or of Antigonus, whom she says is “lost too.” Leontes replies that he prefers her to speak the truth than to show him pity. He declares that Hermione and Mamillius are to be buried together and that he will mourn them daily.

This scene is pivotal, marking a shift in action from Sicilia to Bohemia, court to country, and tragedy to comedy.

Lines 1–61:
Antigonus, carrying the baby, arrives on the shores of Bohemia. The mariner who has brought him returns to the ship, warning Antigonus that there is a storm brewing and that the coastline is “famous” for predatory animals. Antigonus addresses the
baby gently, telling her that he had a dream in which Hermione's ghost appeared to him. The ghost told him that the baby was to be called Perdita, and that he was to leave her in Bohemia. For his role in “this ungentle business” he is destined never to see Paulina again. He believes Hermione must have died and that Perdita must be the “issue” of Polixenes after all. Although his “heart bleeds,” he bids Perdita farewell. The storm increases and Antigonus hears a roar. He exits, pursued by a bear.

Lines 62–128:
A Shepherd enters, and a change is immediately apparent through his gently humorous ramblings in prose that contrast with Antigonus' tragic blank verse. He is considering the problems of adolescence, such as “getting wenches with child,” when he finds Perdita. He assumes that she is the result of an affair, “some behind-door-work,” an ironic echo of Leontes' earlier suspicions. He picks up the baby and waits for his son, the Clown. The Clown arrives and gives a muddled account of the shipwreck and Antigonus being killed by the bear, rendering these tragic events comic through his confusion. The Shepherd comments that while his son “met'st with things dying,” he himself met “with things newborn,” emphasizing the play's shift away from tragedy and death to comedy and regeneration. They find clothes that suggest the baby's high status, and also gold, which they believe has been left by the fairies with the “changeling” child. They decide to keep the baby and the gold, and to bury the remains of Antigonus.

The meta-theatrical figure of “Time” acts as Chorus, moving the events of the play on by sixteen years.