Shakespeare Stories - A Winter's Tale (with CD)

Author: Shakespeare
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The Winter's Tale is the last comedy in Shakespeare's First Folio, printed in quarto format. The play is generally regarded as a "romance." Besides love stories, it features a lively festive atmosphere, filled with popular joy, often delivering unexpected dramatic effects. The entire play can be divided into two major sections based on time and space. The first half tells the tragic story of King Leontes, who is driven to tragedy by jealousy. Leontes' complex inner turmoil is almost on par with Shakespeare's tragic characters. The second half of the story takes place sixteen years later, when Leontes' lost daughter has grown up and, by chance, returns to Leontes' court, ultimately transforming a tragedy into a comedy. The play explores themes of nature versus nurture. Modern critical focus often lies in the play's symbolism, even tending to view it as an allegory. Additionally, the structure of characters being forgiven after committing great mistakes gives many the impression that the play carries a Christian moral lesson.