In this paper, the structure of William Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" will be analyzed, with a focus on its division into two parts: the tragic and the comic. The unfolding of each part, from exposition to resolution, will be examined to understand how the narrative is crafted and how themes of jealousy, redemption, and reconciliation are explored.
"The Winter's Tale" begins with a tragic part set in winter, where suspicions and betrayal lead to tragic consequences. As the story progresses, a transition to a lighter, comedic tone occurs, symbolizing a shift from darkness to light. Through this examination, insights will be gained into how Shakespeare balances these contrasting elements to create a cohesive and impactful narrative.
By dissecting the structural elements of "The Winter's Tale," insights will be gained into Shakespeare's storytelling techniques and the thematic depth of the play. The interconnectedness of its tragic and comic aspects will be highlighted, emphasizing the unity of the work as a whole.
Theme: Analyse the structure of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”
The structure of William Shakespeare’s tragicomedy “The Winter’s Tale” can be separated into two parts: a tragic part -taking place in winter- and a comic part - taking place in spring and summer. Both these parts have their own structure including an exposition, a climax and an ending.
The tragic part starts with an expositional scene in which not only the background is told, but also the point of attack is. The action starts when Leontes suspects Hermione of being an adulteress and rises by the assassination of Polixenes and the arrest of Hermione. A comic relief shortly before the climax has its function in empha- sising this tragedy. The climax of this tragic part is when the Oracle is read aloud and Le- ontes does not trust the Oracle. After his repentance speech, Paulina reports the catastro- phic news: Hermione is dead.
Although this tragic part seems to be a “perfect” tragedy, there are two distinguishing points. At first, Hermione, as well as Mamillius, does not die on stage, but off-stage. The second distinction is rather more important: there is, at least partly, a way out of this catastrophe because Hermione’s daughter can still be found - as predicted by the Oracle.
Perdita is found in the next scene. But the main aspect of the scene of transition is that the tragic part ends and turns into a comic part. When Antigonus exits, pursued by a bear, there is certainly laughter in the audience - if not, there is still the Old Shepherd who speaks of his son meeting things dying, but he himself meeting with things new-born. This is a great metaphor for this change in the play. The audience knows now that this turns out to be a comedy and therefor that the secret of Perdita’s origin will be found out. The audience is ready to enjoy the comic part.
The comic part also starts with an expositional scene. The personification of time tells us about the time, the place and the beauty of Perdita (“grown in grace”). This is very important because one of her main features is that she’s beautiful - which is very hard to realise in Shakespearean Times with male actors also playing the female roles. The action starts when Polixenes and Camillo disguise to look after Florizel. Autolycus appears and emphasises the comic by his witty tricks and by his songs. This comic rises until the height is reached: the sheepsharing festival with music and - at its climax - the dramatically ironic dialogue between Florizel and Polixenes in disguise. Right at this point the atmosphere changes again, the dialogue is followed by a tragic relief. The function of it is to create additional suspense for the closure. Again the happy ending of the comic part, the recognition of Perdita and the meeting of the two kings, is only reported. Both endings are only reported to strengthen the following scene - otherwise it could be weakened.
The final scene gives a happy closure to the whole play, it combines the two parts directly with each other. Without the happy ending of the comic part, there could not be a happy ending of the whole play. The dramatic fact that Hermione is dead is turned into a dramatic lie. Hermione alive is the most unexpected surprise in this play. The conventional comic closure is completed by the three couples, by the fact that there is one heir for the two countries and that everybody is proposed for - even Autoly- cus! The fact that Mamillius died is weakened because there is a substitute for him in the name of Florizel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the analysis of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”?
The main theme is to analyze the structure of William Shakespeare’s tragicomedy “The Winter’s Tale,” which is divided into a tragic part (winter) and a comic part (spring/summer), each with its own exposition, climax, and ending.
How is the tragic part of "The Winter's Tale" structured?
The tragic part begins with an exposition, followed by rising action when Leontes suspects Hermione, leading to the climax where the Oracle is disbelieved. After Leontes' repentance, the tragic part ends with the reported death of Hermione.
What are the distinguishing points of the tragic part in "The Winter's Tale"?
Hermione and Mamillius die off-stage, and there's a glimmer of hope as the Oracle predicts Hermione’s daughter can still be found.
How does the play transition from the tragic to the comic part?
The scene where Perdita is found serves as a transition. Antigonus is pursued by a bear, and the Old Shepherd's speech about death and rebirth symbolizes the shift from tragedy to comedy.
What are the elements of the comic part's structure in "The Winter's Tale"?
The comic part begins with an exposition, with Time personified, introducing Perdita. The action involves Polixenes and Camillo disguising themselves, Autolycus' comic antics, and the sheep-shearing festival, culminating in a dramatically ironic dialogue.
How does the comic part create suspense before the closure?
A tragic relief follows the dialogue, creating additional suspense before the happy ending.
How is the ending of the comic part resolved?
The recognition of Perdita and the meeting of the two kings are only reported to avoid weakening the following scene.
How does the final scene provide closure for "The Winter's Tale"?
The final scene combines the tragic and comic parts, turning the dramatic fact of Hermione's death into a dramatic lie. The play concludes with three couples, an heir for both countries, and the inclusion of characters like Autolycus.
How is the death of Mamillius addressed at the end?
The loss of Mamillius is softened by the presence of Florizel as a substitute.
What is the conclusion regarding the structure of "The Winter's Tale"?
Analyzing the play's structure by separating it into tragic and comic parts is helpful, but ultimately, "The Winter's Tale" is a unified work of art.
- Quote paper
- Florian Kraus (Author), 2000, The structure of Shakespeare`s "The Winter`s Tale", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/96709
