In diesem Essay wird Paulina, eine Figur aus Shakespeares "The Winter's Tale" kurz beschrieben und ihr Verhalten gegenüber den männlichen Figuren, insbesondere Leontes, analysiert. Sie ist nicht der typische Frauencharakter, den man erwarten würde. Die Gründe für diesen Eindruck werden hier nun näher beleuchtet.
This essays deals with Paulina, a character in Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale". Her behaviour towards the male figures is described shortly before her speech and interaction with the other characters, especially with Leontes, the King of Sicily, are analysed in depth. She is not 'the typical woman' and this essay tries to provide some possible reasons.
Table of Contents
1. Paulina in The Winter’s Tale
2. Renaissance Views on Women and Gender Boundaries
3. Paulina’s Character Development and Role in the Play
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper examines the complex character of Paulina in William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, analyzing her defiance of traditional female roles within the socio-historical context of the Renaissance. It investigates how her actions, perceived as gender-transgressive by contemporary standards, challenge both male authority and the fluid nature of gender identity in early modern England.
- Analysis of Paulina’s verbal confrontation with King Leontes and her rejection of submissive norms.
- Exploration of Renaissance gender stereotypes, including the concept of the "mankind woman" and the "unruly tongue."
- Examination of the interplay between witchcraft, magic, and social expectations of female behavior.
- Evaluation of Paulina’s development from a courageous advocate for justice to her ambiguous role in the play's resolution.
Excerpt from the Book
Witch, priestess, suffragette
Witch, priestess, suffragette - there are many terms which can be used to describe Paulina, a character from William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. However, she certainly would not be called a submissive woman. But from where does the audience in the theatre gain this impression?
Paulina enters for the first time in Act 2.2, having only been mentioned before by her husband Antigonus (2.1.134-138). She appears with her servants in front of the prison and demands to speak with Hermione. The jailer refuses, but offers to fetch Emilia, the queen’s woman-in-waiting, if Paulina dismisses her attendants. She complies and the ground for the following action is laid. Paulina acts independently: she is rational, courageous and enraged by Leontes’ unjust behaviour. She promises to do her best to convince him of Hermione’s innocence. Although a woman -a biological fact even more highlighted through the addresses directed at her- Paulina’s readiness to cross gender-divisions are already perceptible. She herself speaks of wit (2.2.51) and honour (2.2.64) to emphasize her willingness to battle Leontes. Shakespeare depicts Paulina in this scene in the chivalric tradition of a knight whose duty it is to right all wrongs and protect the innocent.
Summary of Chapters
1. Paulina in The Winter’s Tale: This chapter introduces Paulina’s character, highlighting her initial bold defiance of King Leontes and her self-identification as a defender of Hermione’s innocence.
2. Renaissance Views on Women and Gender Boundaries: This section explores contemporary societal perceptions of women, focusing on "unruly tongues," the societal fear of gender-transgression, and the literary discourse surrounding women who adopt masculine traits.
3. Paulina’s Character Development and Role in the Play: This final chapter tracks Paulina's evolution throughout the play, analyzing her double role as a moral conscience and a "witch-like" figure, culminating in her orchestration of Hermione’s return.
Keywords
Paulina, The Winter’s Tale, William Shakespeare, Renaissance, gender roles, gender-transgression, submissive woman, Leontes, Hermione, witchcraft, unruly tongue, female agency, chivalric tradition, Hic Mulier, Haec Vir.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper explores the character of Paulina in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, focusing on her refusal to adhere to traditional submissive female roles of the Renaissance era.
What are the key thematic areas covered?
The main themes include Renaissance gender dynamics, the cultural perception of the "mankind woman," the symbolism of witchcraft, and the tension between female independence and male authority.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to understand how Paulina’s character breaks gender boundaries and how her behavior was perceived by Renaissance audiences compared to modern interpretations.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The paper employs a literary analysis method, interpreting the play’s text alongside historical documents and contemporary literary sources from the 16th and 17th centuries.
What does the main body focus on?
The main body treats Paulina's interactions with Leontes, her comparison to other literary female figures, and her role in shaping the play's resolution through both moral and semi-magical influence.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as gender-transgression, Renaissance, Shakespeare, agency, femininity, and social expectation.
How does the play depict Paulina’s relationship with her husband, Antigonus?
Antigonus is depicted as a man who struggles to rule his wife, often comparing her to a noble animal or a source of challenge, and he eventually yields to her stronger will.
What significance does the "mankind witch" insult hold?
The term reflects Leontes' attempt to marginalize Paulina as a transgressive figure who challenges male hegemony and invokes fear through associations with both perceived masculine qualities and the occult.
How does the author interpret the final scene of the statue?
The statue scene is viewed as a moment where Paulina acts in a role resembling a witch, yet she is granted permission by the King, suggesting a complex interplay between the "unlawful" and the "lawful" in the context of the play's resolution.
- Citar trabajo
- Stephanie Schnabel (Autor), 2005, Paulina - witch, shrew or obedient wife?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/50337
