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Courting the Classics: A Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare

April 21, 2011 Courting the Classics, Our Programs 1 Comment

Winter's Tale http://www.greenwichlibrary.org/blog/library_news/2010/03/bob-smith-returns-to-recount-shakespeares-the-winters-tale.html

By Ann B.

When I found out that Courting the Classics was reviewing Shakespeare this month, I just had to throw my two cents in about my favorite play, A Winter’s Tale. I’m sure most of you are thinking, “What? I’ve never heard of that play,” and the sad fact is that is probably true. It’s one of the lesser known plays, and though it is included in the comedies, the fact that it isn’t produced more often is a tragedy. That said, I will tell you to not read this play. Shakespeare is best experienced on stage. Find a company that is performing it and go see it! Although, if you can’t find one, reading it aloud will help with the language.

We start out with King Leontes of Sicilia having a fit of jealousy. He infuriates me as he attempts to poison his best friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, sends his newborn daughter (who he is sure is Polixenes’), Perdita, off to be abandoned, ignores the word of the oracle that his wife, Hermione, is innocent of adultery, causes his son to die of a broken heart over his mother, which then causes his wife to die. Hermione’s attendant, Paulina, whom I love, confronts Leontes with all he’s wrought, and then he decides that maybe the oracle is right. A bit late, if you ask me. And that’s just the beginning!

Meanwhile, the servant who was supposed to abandon baby Perdita, on the coast of Bohemia of all places, is having an attack of conscience. But that’s interrupted by an attack by a bear. While the bear enjoys his tasty lunch of servant, an old shepherd and his son find the baby girl and take and raise her as their daughter and sister. The chorus then comes on stage to inform us that sixteen years has passed. It should be noted that good Polixenes has a son just Perdita’s age. Guess who meet at the spring fair.

Spoiler Inside: A Winter's Tale, continued	Select Show
What happens next seems like a normal Shakespearean comedic romp, and on the surface it is. We have crossed lovers, reunited loved ones, foppish idiots, and tyrants getting their just desserts. In reality, though, it is so much more. This play is a perfection of many of Shakespeare’s earlier beloved characters. We see jealousy that would make Othello seem tame, intelligent fools better than Sir Falstaff or Poor Tom in King Lear, strong women who make the Merry Wives of Windsor or Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew appear demure, and a rush of young lovers into the wilderness that is found in many of Shakespeare’s plays. But the best is yet to come. This is simply the most beautiful romance you will ever encounter, and I’m not talking about the young lovers. No, this romance is adult, mature and indicative of a couple that has had to go through years and years of anger, hurt and sorrow. Only they come out on the other side more in love, more committed, and more sure of the other than they ever could have been otherwise. Those we thought lost are reunited, physically and spiritually, through a power of redemption and forgiveness unlike any I have ever experienced before or since. When Leontes touches the statue of his dead wife and exclaims “She’s warm,” your heart will break. What begins with betrayal and jealousy becomes love and reconciliation so strong that it leaves me sobbing cathartically every time I watch it. Do yourself a favor, go find somewhere it is being performed. Beg your local theater company to put it on if you must. Then gather everyone you care about and go see it. I plan on grabbing my girlfriends and driving hundreds of miles to the Utah Shakespeare Festival this fall just to see this one performance. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Spoiler Inside: A Winter's Tale, continued

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Currently there is "1 comment" on this Article:

Kathy says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:57 pm

You’re right, Ann, I was not familiar with this play, but after reading your review, I think I need to remedy that! Your passion for this play shines through in this review and I very much enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!