Brilliantly written in terms of wit and expression, even for Shakespeare, and that's saying something.

In that capacity, it must be one of his best. If it is not as widely read, studied, or performed as several of his tragedies, it is perhaps because it is not as compelling in its themes as something like Hamlet, Lear, or Othello. It has a sort of melodramatic tone, and it is something akin to the early Greek romantic novels like Callirrhoe or An Ethiopian Tale, but with a sparser plot as is fitting with a short dramatic production.

A few notable things: it contains the least ambiguous Delphic oracle I've ever encountered. Whereas I was expecting the oracle to provide the usual ambiguous, opaque kind of message that typically leads to confusion, it turned out to be almost comically blunt. Also: Shakespeare, in a rather "modern" way, plays with us and plays with his medium. He pulls off such a stunt as taking one of the most dramatic moments that we expect to view and letting it occur offstage so that we only get to hear of it by the report of some incidental witnesses. And slyly, he allows one of them to comment, "You have lost a sight which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of." Who does this Shakespeare think he is, Fassbinder?

It's truly fascinating to analyze Shakespeare's works from these different perspectives. His ability to experiment and innovate within the realm of drama is truly remarkable. This particular play, while perhaps not as well-known as some of his more famous tragedies, still has its own unique charm and qualities that make it worthy of study and appreciation.

We can see how Shakespeare was constantly pushing the boundaries of what was possible in theater, using techniques that were ahead of his time. The way he plays with the audience's expectations and uses offstage events to create悬念 and mystery is a masterful touch.

Overall, this play serves as a reminder of Shakespeare's genius and his enduring influence on the world of drama.

On my little adventure of reading Shakespeare's work, I delved into it in preparation for reading "A Gap of Time" by Jeanette Winterson.

Sadly, for now, this particular Shakespearean piece is my least favorite among his works. It is still brilliant, no doubt, but I found it a little more difficult to get into. It wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped. Perhaps my enjoyment would have been greater if I had listened to it instead of reading it.

However, I think the plot of this work is not really to my taste. But I'm still interested to see what Jeanette Winterson does with the retelling. I'm curious to discover how she will put her own spin on it and whether it will offer a new perspective that might change my opinion of the original.

Despite my initial reservations, I'm looking forward to exploring "A Gap of Time" and seeing how it relates to Shakespeare's work.

I have drunk and seen the spider.

One's suspension of disbelief will be severely challenged here. The king of Sicily is an extremely paranoid person. Was he always like this, or did some strange combination of circumstances lead him to develop such a character? Well, just go along with it for now. The tyrant firmly believes that his wife has been unfaithful. The king of Bohemia is the prime suspect. His wife is pregnant, which is a physical indication that he has been cuckolded. But this is a comedy, isn't it? He is permitted to rage and roar, maintaining a stage filled with fire and fury throughout a trial and even beyond, with a certain Nixonian precision.

The accused flee, and then the sunny Czech coast becomes the next setting. Sixteen years have passed since the previous act, and during this interim, the child has grown up to become a crucial pivot in the plot. There is a bear, a clown, and several royals in disguise. There is an amazing scene of wooing where the natural characteristics of the garden are discussed and explored. I was hoping for something similar to The Tempest, but unfortunately, it didn't come to pass.

"Exit, pursued by a bear."

The Winter's Tale is a rather interesting play. In fact, it can almost be regarded as two plays. Acts I to III resemble a tragedy, while the remaining two acts are more like a comedy. Although there are several instances in the play where Shakespeare's outstanding writing is on display, I personally felt that the story was somewhat lacking in strength. As a result, I didn't enjoy it as much as Cymbeline or Measure for Measure.

The Winter's Tale is sometimes referred to as a "problem play" (alongside Cymbeline and Measure for Measure), but I prefer to think of them as "troubled plays". Each of them seems to reflect some sort of internal struggle that Shakespeare might have been going through on a personal level. This play was written towards the end of his career and has certain experimental features. In fact, the whole thing gave the impression that he was a little bored, not entirely confident in or caring about his subject matter.

Nevertheless, the character of Perdita is vividly portrayed, although unfortunately she only appears in the second half of the play. And there are also some truly great passages. I believe it is worth reading and seeing, but it is hardly an essential part of the Shakespeare canon. I feel that Troilus, Measure, and Cymbeline are more crucial for a complete understanding of Shakespeare as a writer.

Finally, this was the last of the thirteen plays I read as part of the Powys Project. This project, especially with the history plays that I read for the first time, strengthened my belief that Shakespeare is the greatest writer of all time. Powys advises us to focus on the songs and isolated speeches, but I think the true genius of Shakespeare becomes evident when the plays are performed. The text comes to life on the stage, and the power and "effect" of his writing are best展现 there. This was particularly clear in the Falstaff scenes in the Henry IV plays. The complex relationships between the characters and how they can be interpreted by the actors add another layer of depth to the performance. Therefore, I would suggest that if you打算 read Shakespeare, you can more or less follow my process. Read the play slowly and carefully, try to understand as much as possible, especially words or phrases that require translation. Then watch the play. The BBC versions are all fairly accurate and not too outlandish, but if you can get a Globe production or an excellent movie version, that would be even better. And finally, read the play again after watching it.

The plays written by the poet in the last years of his profession are very interesting. The narrative language is impressive, but the credibility in the stories is weak. Shakespeare is a writer who can make us read ghosts, fairies, and almost impossible coincidences without allowing us to question. Even the legend in the name of the play cannot accept the unrealistic parts. According to what Mina Urgan wrote in the book Shakespeare ve Hamlet, this play is not staged much because it is not liked. Özdemir Nutku Bey has signed the best translation possible, and I remember him with mercy.

Moreover, the poet's works in his later years seem to lack the depth and coherence that characterized his earlier masterpieces. The plots, although filled with interesting elements, often fail to hold the reader's attention due to the lack of believable characters and events. Shakespeare, on the other hand, was a master at creating vivid and complex characters that came to life on the stage. His plays were not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, making the audience question their own beliefs and values.

In conclusion, while the poet's plays in his later years may have some interesting aspects, they do not compare to the works of Shakespeare. The lack of credibility and depth in the stories makes them less engaging and memorable. However, we should still appreciate the poet's efforts and contributions to the world of literature.

"Every wink of an eye some new grace will be born."

Shakespeare, that brilliant and iconic man, has left us with a literary masterpiece in this play, which happens to be one of his last. It truly showcases him at the zenith of his craft. The seamless integration of tragedy and comedy, Christianity and mythology, winter and spring is simply outstanding. The play's structure is equally remarkable, as are the themes and motifs of imagination, art, redemption, and resurrection. Moreover, since this play comes towards the end of Shakespeare's writing career, we are privileged to witness him synthesize a plethora of elements from his earlier plays, resulting in a truly great effect.

Is the ending improbable, even for Shakespeare? Without a doubt. However, if it were any less incredible, the redeeming, reconciling, and restoring grace that pervades the final act would not possess nearly the same potency, beauty, or worthiness to be called grace. It is wonderfully done.

I have read this play numerous times now and I know without a doubt that it is truly my favorite. But Othello also remains my genuine favorite. So, it seems they are co-favorites.

(The Literary Life Podcast's 20 for 2020 Reading Challenge - A Shakespeare play)

(Lit Life Patreon SIAY 2023-2024)

Wow, finally! Shakespeare had never been so supreme. How much I loved him

The Winter's Tale is one of Shakespeare's late romances, likely penned in 1611. It is often regarded as a "problem play" due to its tragicomic nature. At the start, we are plunged into a "sad tale" set in Sicilia. King Leontes, tortured by unfounded jealousy, believes his pregnant wife Hermione and his best friend Polixenes are having an affair. Like Othello without an Iago or King Lear tearing his family apart, Leontes' actions and words lead to disaster. His son and wife die, he loses the respect of his court and the friendship of Polixenes and Camillo. His baby daughter Perdita is abandoned on the seacoast of Bohemia, and Lord Antigonus meets a grizzly end. The first three acts offer a classic tragedy that I thoroughly enjoyed. However, the final two acts, which explore a pastoral romance and a restorative comedy with a happy ending, were somewhat dull, except for a few scenes featuring Autolycus. Overall, The Winter's Tale is another interesting Shakespeare play that I'm glad to have read and listened to this year.

(7.3/10)*

«It is an heretic that makes the fire,
Not she which burns in’t.»

\\n  The Winter’s Tale\\n is a complex work that combines elements of tragedy and comedy, exploring themes of jealousy, forgiveness, and redemption.

The play's structure is unique, with a sharp contrast between the first half, which is filled with drama and despair, and the second half, which is more lighthearted and optimistic.

Despite its flaws, The Winter's Tale remains a fascinating and engaging work that showcases Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to create memorable characters and powerful emotions.

*I use the CAWPILE rating system created by Book Roast.

Leontes and Polixenes have been friends since childhood. One is now the king of Sicily, and the other is the king of Bohemia. Their brotherly love remains deep.

Until Polixenes, during a visit to Sicily, allegedly exchanges loving glances with Leontes' wife, Hermione. Suddenly, Leontes falls into a jealous rage that no one else at court understands. This not only destroys a friendship but also several lives. He banishes his newly born daughter, believing she is not his child, and everything sounds like a tragedy.

However, in the second part of this play, it transforms into a romantic comedy, in which especially Polixenes' son and the banished daughter play a crucial role.

I liked the beginning in terms of structure and dramaturgy. Although I found the excessive jealousy rather contrived and not at all understandable, the end did not completely convince me. It was too miraculous, almost kitschy. Overall, it is a quite entertaining play with sometimes beautifully witty dialogues. But it also has some slow parts.

“Exit, pursued by a bear.”

This stage direction by Shakespeare is perhaps the most renowned or even infamous one in the realm of drama.

Beyond this rather odd line, the play is a delightful and meaningful one, and it stands as one of The Bard's more unusual dramatic comedies.

The story of a jealous husband in this play falls far short of "Othello" in both scale and depth. It does have its moments, such as Hermione's soliloquy and Antigone's plea to Leontes. However, it is also very disjointed and has a crazy ending! (Apparently, geography was not an exact science back in those days.)

“I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went”

This play has rapidly ascended to become one of my most cherished Shakespearean works that I have perused.

It possesses a fairytale-like charm that I simply adored. The wintry atmosphere it exudes is truly captivating.

It features an intriguing blend of tragedy and comedy, culminating in a romantic conclusion, which strongly reminds me of The Tempest (yet another of my favorites).

I am extremely pleased to have delved into this play, and I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to engage in a discussion about it during the lecture.

I believe that this play offers a wealth of themes and ideas that are worthy of exploration and analysis.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it a truly enjoyable read.

I am confident that I will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of this play through the lecture and subsequent discussions.

Written near the very end of Shakespeare's remarkable career, this work stands as a testament to his maturity as a writer.

It contains elements that are curiously light and even somewhat comical, yet it doesn't neatly fit the category of a traditional comedy. Nor is it a tragedy in the strictest sense. Instead, I believe it to be more of a fairy tale, one that explores the themes of forgiveness in later life and the magical granting of a second chance.

This seems like a wish-fulfillment from a writer who had likely endured a great deal of personal pain.

Moreover, it offers the most heartfelt and perceptive portrayal of love and relationships that I have encountered in the Shakespearean canon. The tragedies, with their focus on grandeur and downfall, leave little room for the nuances of love. And the comedies, while often charming, are too simplistic and farcical to provide any real depth of understanding.

Take, for example, "Much Ado About Nothing," which, despite its charm, is precisely what its title suggests. And let's not even begin to mention "Romeo & Juliet"; the puppy love between a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old can hardly be considered a profound exploration of love.

There is an inherent sadness in this fantasy. Even as we witness beautiful and uplifting events unfold, there is a palpable sense of deep pain and regret that seems to emanate from Shakespeare himself. The events described are simply too beautiful, and the forgiveness too perfect, to ever occur in the real world.

The joy of this fictional realm only serves to highlight the pain, heartache, and regret of the real world.

Shakespeare's wish-fulfillment fantasy is both glorious and devastating, a complex and captivating work that continues to resonate with audiences today.

ps - I highly recommend the Signet Classics editions of all Shakespeare plays.