There is a definite theme of loyalty in A Winter's Tale, even just in the first act of the play. I think that Shakespeare is making a commentary on loyalty, as well as trust, because right at the start we have loyalty issues. Leontes suspects Hermione of not being loyal to him ("too hot, too hot!") just because she persuades Polixenes to stay longer in Sicilia and Leontes could not. Then, he accuses Camillo of being disloyal to him ("you lie, you lie!") because he says that Camillo had to have known that there was something going on between Polixenes and Hermione. Camillo tells Leontes that he will poison Polixenes, and then goes on to tell Polixenes without much persuasion of Leontes jealously and the plot against his life.
It is interesting that simply in this one scene, there is so much loyalty and disloyalty being thrown about. I would be interested to see if this theme pervades throughout the play, and if Shakespeare has an overall positive message about loyalty that comes out stronger as the play unfolds.
tis true, tis true! Or perhaps a commentary on how when we distrust others is when loyalty weins...?
ReplyDeleteI think the most incredible example of loyalty in the play is when Hermione never accuses her husband back. She always directs the blame off of herself, but never on anyone else. I think I remember you mentioning that, and I admire that example in her.
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