Act 3 Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale

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Act 3 Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale In Act 3 Scene 2, Shakespeare uses the climax of the courtroom scene as a device to conclude the first half of the play. The preceding acts lead up to the courtroom scene where many of the audience’s questions are answered. Will Hermione be found innocent? And will Leontes realise and admit his mistakes? Both the courtiers’, present in this scene and the audience reach the courtroom scene with the expectation that sanity will prevail. Act 3 Scene 2 is central to the developing plot on several grounds. The court scene is the catalyst for Leontes’ change in manner. Leontes changes from pompous to instantly rational and humble as a result of the revelations that he hears. Leontes vows to visit his son and wife’s graves once a day to grieve as a way of penitence. “Once a day I’ll visit The chapel where they lie, and tears shed there Shall be my recreation” Leontes’ penitence in Sicilia is central to the developing plot. Soon after in Act 4 Scene 4, the audience learns of Perdita’s fate. She and Florizel, Polixenes’ son, wish to marry without the knowledge of Polixenes. Consequently when this is revealed to Polixenes, Perdita and Florizel with the help of Camillo decide to return to Sicilia where they hope Leontes will be happy to receive them. This is where Leontes’ penitence in Sicilia becomes key. Shakespeare’s reunion of all the major characters in Act 5 Scene 3 is purposeful as Hermione’s entrance has greater impact. Hermione’s innocence (or guilt) is also of great consequence in the storyline of Florizel and Perdita’s romance. If Hermione is guilty... ... middle of paper ... ... kill Polixenes. “Hermione, Queen to the worthy Leontes… Thou art accused… Conspiring with Camillo to take away the Life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband” In conclusion, Act 3 Scene 2 is essential to the play as a whole. As previously mentioned, this scene completes the first half of the play and a great deal of the following plot relies on it. This scene is a turning point; characters change and situations change such as the one of Leontes. This is effective in sustaining audience’s interest and consequently makes the plot less predictable, as is established by the great deal of revelations that follow in the plot. Act 3 Scene 2 is key to establishing three of the main characters and the language Shakespeare employed in this scene best shows these three characters in their element.

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