Book Review: The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare
Yet another Shakespeare play! As I said yesterday , there are two reviews one after the other because I’ve had them ready for a while, but I like to publish reviews in order of when I finish the book. But after this one it’ll be a while before my next review, hopefully not too long. And we’re not so far away from YA/contemporary content, either, so I’m excited! As usual, rating is out of five stars. Enjoy! ♥︎
PAULINA. The silence often of pure innocence Persuades when speaking fails.
— i.
HERMIONE. Therefore, proceed, But yet hear this—mistake me not—no life, I prize it not a straw, but for mine honor, Which I would free. If I shall be condemned Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else But what your jealousies awake, I tell you 'Tis rigor and not law. Your honors all, I do refer me to the oracle: Apollo be my judge.
Did someone say William Shakespeare’s best and most underrated play? Seriously, I’m aware that The Winter’s Tale isn’t as popular as some of his other works, but I don’t care because it is the best. It’s so wild and wacky and between all of his tragedies and comedies, the only play where it’s a little bit of both. There’s so much to say about this play—from the plot, to the badass female characters, to the underlying meanings. If you want to skip until the end where I just post my general thoughts and ratings, feel free to do so!
— ii.
HERMIONE. For life, I prize it As I weigh grief, which I would spare. For honor, 'Tis a derivative from me to mine, And only that I stand for.
The play revolves around two kingdoms, Sicily and Bohemia, and how close the two kings are, until Leontes (Sicilian king), irrationally suspects his wife (Hermione) having an affair with the king of Bohemia (Polixenes). This thought is so out of wack and completely unsupported, and just plain paranoia. Nevertheless, he tries his wife, there’s a strain between Sicily and Bohemia, sixteen years pass, a couple of tragedies here and there, lots of romance, and somehow, everything works out in the end and there’s a happy ending (yes I wrote this run-on sentence purposely because this entire play sort of feels like that in the best way possible). Without giving too much away, the plot is so crazy and wild, but it has you on the edge of your seat the whole time. You just want to know what happened to Perdita (the child Hermione was pregnant with at the time Leontes accused her of adultery), you want to know if everything will work out between her and Florizel, if she’ll reunite with her father, and more. By the end of the play you’re just sitting there in complete shock because everyone’s just incredibly stunned and just want to know WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO HERMIONE ALL THIS TIME. WHERE THE HECK WAS SHE?! But it’s also such a happy ending, like does it even matter? The play is fun, it is wacky, it is sensational, and everything positive in between. The tragedy that struck in act three made it sad, but it sort of had to happen for the play to turn out the way it did. The two people caught in the tragedy had to take one for the team in order for the play to be as great as it was for acts four and five.
— iii.
PAULINA. I'll use that tongue I have; if wit flow from't As boldness from my bosom, let's not be doubted I shall do good.
I don’t know if anyone noticed, but most of the quotes I’ve been using are from the female characters. That is because they are by far, the best part about this play. Hermione? The most honourable and loving woman anyone can imagine, who’s hella smart, stands her ground, knows her values, and knows who she is as a person. Paulina? Invented the definition of “baddest bitch.” Perdita? The absolute softest bean that must be protected at all costs. The women MAKE this play. I really don’t think this play would hold significance without them, let alone be my favourite Shakespeare play. Even if classics/plays/Shakespeare isn’t your thing, if there was one play you would want to try, I’d definitely say this one, especially if you love strong female characters. They all represent unique values and possess character traits I admire the most. In fact, they make the men in the play totally dull. In my opinion, there is just no way you can read this play and not like at least one of the three, unless you genuinely do not like female characters. SO READ IT, FOR THE SAKE OF HERMIONE, PAULINA, AND PERDITA.
— iv.
FLORIZEL. It cannot fail but by The violation of my faith, and then Let nature crush the sides o'th' earth together And mar the seeds within. Lift up thy looks. From my succession wipe me, father! I Am heir to my affection.
As for the writing style and techniques, as usual, Shakespeare does not disappoint. Especially when it comes to fourth act, the never-ending scene. Florizel just speaks so eloquently, and with such a powerful rhetoric, that I’m pretty sure I was crying when his father, Polixenes (yes the king of Bohemia) refused his son’s wishes to marry the love of his life. And Hermione’s rhetoric when she was literally fighting her husband for her life—she is an INSPIRATION and Leontes is a JERK. Shakespeare truly has a way with words, it’s magic, it’s his craft, and there’s a reason why he’s the most known writer today. It’s what he deserves, honestly.
— v.
HERMIONE. But thus, if powers divine Behold our human actions, as they do, I doubt not then but innocence shall make False accusation blush and tyranny Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know Whom least will seem to do so my past life Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true, As I am now unhappy, which is more Than history can pattern, though devised And played to take spectators.
Overall, there are plenty of reasons why The Winter’s Tale is my favourite Shakespeare play, despite all its craziness. It should be appreciated, discussed, and praised way more than it is. Everything about it is flawless—from the women, to the writing; from the plot, to the larger themes; from the lines between comedy & tragedy, to the relationships. If Shakespeare or classical literature or plays is not really your thing, and you only had to read one, I’d go for this one, seriously. A++.
What’s your favorite Shakespeare play? Let me know in the comments section below!
Rating: ★★★★★ | GoodReads
