39 pages 1 hour read

William Shakespeare

The Winter's Tale

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1623

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Essay Topics

1.

Evidence points to two theories regarding Hermione’s resurrection: She was either brought back to life by magic or hid from the public for 16 years. How does the ambiguous nature of Hermione’s resurrection relate to Leontes’s penance? What is William Shakespeare implying by including this ambiguous ending?

2.

The Winter’s Tale features strong female characters who are unafraid to speak up, even in the presence of kings. Who are these characters and what are their roles? How does sexism shape the plot?

3.

Antigonus sees Hermione in a dream, in which she tells him to name her child “Perdita,” a name that means “lost.” What is the significance of this name?