This is probably my new favorite Shakespeare play.

It was beautiful from beginning to end. It is a true fairy tale, filled with tragedy, romance, and a redemptive happy ending. Florizel and Perdita were characters that I was not familiar with prior to this reading. However, now they have become my absolute favorites.

Only Shakespeare could possess the words lovely enough to describe this enchanting story. But all I can manage to say is that I just really, truly loved it.

The lines such as “What you do
Still betters what is done. When you speak, sweet.
I'ld have you do it ever: when you sing,
I'ld have you buy and sell so, so give alms,
Pray so; and, for the ordering your affairs,
To sing them too: when you do dance, I wish you
A wave o' the sea, that you might ever do
Nothing but that; move still, still so,
And own no other function: each your doing,
So singular in each particular,
Crowns what you are doing in the present deed,
That all your acts are queens.” add an extra layer of charm and beauty to the play. They paint a vivid picture of the characters and their actions, making the story come alive in a truly magical way.

Overall, this play has left a lasting impression on me and I can't wait to explore more of Shakespeare's works.

I hold this play extremely close to my heart. The reason is that I had the privilege of seeing it performed at The Globe Theatre. That experience was truly unforgettable and added a whole new dimension to my appreciation of the play.

Moreover, I firmly believe that this is one of the easier plays to read and understand. It doesn't require one to rely on copious footnotes, an in-depth knowledge of historical context, or constantly referring to the Oxford English Dictionary. This makes it accessible to a wider audience and allows for a more straightforward enjoyment of the story and the language.

However, it took me quite a long time to read this play. The reason for this is that I only had the opportunity to read it during my downtime at work. But despite the slow progress, I still managed to fully immerse myself in the world of the play and gain a deep understanding and love for it. :)

CUENTO DE INVIERNO by William Shakespeare

"And you, Goddess Nature? If you can order him
also intelligence, do not mix
the yellow of jealousy with the other colors,
so that he never suspects, like the father,
that his children are not of his husband."

I didn't think this work was going to appeal to me so much, haha. I didn't know anything about it, not even had I heard its name. But as always, Shakespeare has something good to tell. I said I would choose one, perhaps an unknown one: "Troilus and Cressida", "Cymbeline", "A Winter's Tale" or perhaps one of his great tragedies? Since "Antony and Cleopatra" disappointed me a bit, I gave this less well-known work a chance and wow, I liked it more than one that outranks it in popularity like "The Tempest".

The story is long and has different time periods. At the beginning, we get to know Leontes, the king of Sicily, who is married to Queen Hermione, who is very beautiful and also appears to be a very sweet and respectful woman. Polixenes, the king of Bohemia, is a great friend of Leontes and loves him like a brother. But the closeness between Polixenes and Hermione makes Leontes suspect that something bad is going on between them. For this, he will seek the help of his servant Camillo, who, with a noble heart, will have to make many crucial decisions throughout the story. On the other hand, we have the good Antigonus, whose wife, Paulina, is also a great friend of the queen and will always seek her benefit above even the power of the absolute king.

I gave it five stars because of the many emotions it has. It has elements of tragedy and drama, and even time travel. Although at the beginning I didn't like it and thought it could ruin the work, it was well executed. I regret some things, such as the fact that the final reconciliation was not shown on stage but rather mostly referred to by third parties. The ending itself is also a bit disconcerting. Sometimes I have criticized when I see magical elements in theater works that break a real schema or vice versa, but having read so many such things, it no longer surprises me much and I can tolerate them in the context.

Emotions such as jealousy, revenge, nobility, love, loyalty, and many others are dealt with here in a very good construction, difficult as I always see them in many of Shakespeare's works.

In profound regret, I must state that it has not occurred to me even in my wildest dreams that Shakespeare could be lacking, have an unappealing, and ostentatious work.

The plot of the story is zero.

The characterization is zero.

The space beneath is zero.

The dialogues are approaching zero.

The actions are without any particularity.

In short, the work was truly bad.

I couldn't endure more than 40 pages.

Enjoyable enough but definitely not my favorite. This statement reflects a certain sentiment towards a particular work or experience. It has its enjoyable aspects, but it fails to reach the level of being the absolute favorite.

Then there is the question: What is it with men in Shakespeare always assuming their wives are sleeping around? Shakespeare's works are known for their complex characters and relationships. In many of his plays, male characters seem to have this unfounded suspicion about their wives' fidelity. This could be a reflection of the social and cultural norms of the time, where male dominance and possessiveness were prevalent.

Perhaps Shakespeare was using this theme to explore the nature of jealousy, trust, and the power dynamics within relationships. It also adds an element of drama and conflict to the stories, making them more engaging for the audience. However, it can also be frustrating for modern readers or viewers who may not understand or认同 such assumptions.

Cleomenes and Dion arrived at the oracle of Apollo. They greeted the place and announced that they sought to know if Leontes’ marriage was true.

The priest of Apollo responded, saying he would inquire. Just then, Apollo’s voice was faintly heard from inside the temple, calling Leontes a “little bitch.”

Cleomenes and Dion looked at each other in surprise. The priest, pulling out a piece of parchment to write on against the door jamb, then said that Apollo had declared Hermione chaste.

But Apollo was not done. He yelled louder, calling Leontes a “fucking cunt” and threatening to come for his “ass.”

The priest, wetting the coal against his tongue, continued to relay Apollo’s messages. He said that Polixenes was blameless and asked if there was anything else.

Apollo’s angry rant continued. He threatened to kill Leontes’ son, wife, and will to live if he opened his mouth one more time. He even said he would roast Leontes slowly in the fires of the sun until he resembled crispy pork belly.

The priest then stepped onto the steps, closed the door behind him, and finished writing the message. He waxed it shut and handed it to Cleomenes and Dion, telling them to make sure Leontes read it, as “King Cunt” inside did not cool down quickly.

Cleomenes and Dion were left speechless, and the priest went back inside, from where Apollo’s ever more creative rhymes could still be heard.

This story about a jealous king who incarcerates his wife and banishes his daughter is truly disheartening. I had been longing for some winter warmth, yet what I encountered was a dull, desolate, and lifeless narrative. “It is an heretic that makes the fire,
Not she which burns in’t.” In the lack of a beneficial teacher or witnessing a remarkable performance, I depend on Shakespeare’s vivid lines to guide me through the rough patches of his plays. Regrettably, apart from the aforementioned quote, I failed to discover those here. So, unfortunately, there was not much for me in this particular one. It seems that this story lacks the charm and magic that Shakespeare is renowned for. The plot unfolds in a rather uninteresting manner, leaving the reader feeling dissatisfied. I had anticipated more from this work, but it has fallen short of my expectations.

Picking up this play to read, I knew absolutely nothing about it other than having heard its name.

I have to say I am glad I took a chance on the unknown because this play was truly a pleasure to read. Once I got used to the English used in it, reading it became almost melodic in my head. There is no doubt Shakespeare knew how to make words dance.

This play almost feels like it should be two separate plays since they are so very different in feel. The first half is a tragedy and the sequel is a romance. I feel like Shakespeare wrote this play as sort of an homage to the Greek classics. If that was his intent, then I have to say he succeeded very well indeed.

I loved that even with all the flowery language (multiple times requiring me to look up words), he quickly managed to start the film projector in my head and I was seeing the action happening in my head. Truly a classic and I am so thrilled that my first foray into Shakespeare unknown to me was such a resounding success!!

It's amazing how Shakespeare's works can have such a profound impact on readers even centuries after they were written. His ability to create vivid characters, complex plots, and beautiful language is truly remarkable. This play, in particular, showcases his versatility as a playwright, as it transitions from a tragic tale to a romantic one with ease.

Overall, I would highly recommend this play to anyone who is interested in literature or wants to experience the genius of Shakespeare. It may take some effort to understand the language, but the rewards are well worth it. I can't wait to explore more of Shakespeare's works and see what other treasures I can discover.

Astonishing Shakespearean Tale!

"I reign over all and test all,
Bestowing good and evil on the good and the bad alike,

Weaving and unweaving human deeds
And if I use my wings,

I don't believe you'll take that as a fault,
For my name - as you know - is Time.

Sixteen years will we fly by in a moment,
For all earthly things before me are dust and smoke

And customs and laws on your Chorotega fields
My power touches in a moment and in a moment after overflows.

Since the world has shone until today, only one and the same
Is my flight, great and almighty,

And as today I am an impeccable witness for yesterday,
Tomorrow I will be for today and your daily shine

Will be overcome, just as I have overcome
This tale of mine has probably been seen by you.

And so, I turn my old sand clock
And see how - as the main culprit for everything -

Leontes, alone in his sad courtyard,
Weeps day and night for his crazy devotion.

But we will leave him and we reach across the sea
To Bohemia among the whales, where -

Previously only hinted at, now has taken a name -
Lives the son of the king, named Florizel.

And here has grown up the little Perdita
Into a charming shepherdess and if anyone asks

What will happen to these two in the end,
Let him watch the scene and he will find out himself,

When our story unfolds before him.
And if you have used your time worse

At another time, then I am glad too,
And if not, then I will ask you to believe then

In me - your Time - that I sincerely wish you
For future amusements, more beautiful than that!"

Translation: Valeri Petrov

Reading books for class on the day the final's due!! This is a rather common yet somewhat frantic situation that many students find themselves in. It seems like they have procrastinated throughout the semester and now, at the eleventh hour, they are trying to cram in all the knowledge they should have learned earlier. The stress is palpable as they flip through the pages, hoping to absorb as much information as possible. But is this really the most effective way to study? Probably not. However, in the heat of the moment, when the deadline is looming, students often feel desperate and resort to this last-minute reading frenzy. They might be thinking that every little bit of extra knowledge could make a difference in their final grades. But will it? Only time will tell.

I firmly believe that Paulina and Hermione should be girlfriends.

Paulina and Hermione have so many qualities that would make them an amazing couple. They both possess strong personalities, are intelligent, and have a deep sense of loyalty. Their differences in appearance and background could add an interesting dynamic to their relationship.

Imagine the beautiful moments they could share together. They could have deep conversations about their dreams and aspirations, support each other through thick and thin, and create memories that would last a lifetime.

Moreover, their relationship could serve as an inspiration to others. It would show that love knows no boundaries and that two people from different walks of life can come together and form a strong and loving bond.

In conclusion, I truly think that Paulina and Hermione should be girlfriends. Their potential relationship has the possibility to be something truly special and beautiful.

A Half and Half Play as the Book Said
“A Sad Tale Best For Winter”

It combines the tragicomedy, with the blind jealousy madness in its first part, and the elegant romance that overcomes the obstacles in its second part
and the happy Shakespearean endings

Perhaps the play is not about miracles. No, perhaps it is about the passage of time and the need for patience and the ability to tolerate\\"
\\"Perhaps Shakespeare wanted to tell us that even in a world where miracles occur, there will still be ..pain, loss, and regret\\n

Ever since I read that line in the novel \\"The Winter's Tale\\" and I was eager to read that play, -besides its attractive title which unfortunately did not express the story itself much- but the element of time itself always attracts me

The story is not a fairy tale as I thought for a year. It seems that the so-called age of miracles here means that the events take place in the time of the ancient Greek beliefs, the Olympian gods and their miracles for a year -when reading the prologue in this story- but other than that, there are no miracles... -so even the miracle of the statue coming to life at the end, if you read between the lines, you may feel like me that the matter was prearranged and not a miracle or magic


The play is one of Shakespeare's latest works.... and I was surprised after finishing the book that it was adapted from a previous novel titled
Pandosto: The Triumph of Time by Robert Greene
But due to its tragic nature until the end, what Shakespeare did with it is to turn its second half into a more cheerful nature and happy endings after a lot of hardships and misunderstandings, as is usually the case with Shakespeare's elegant plays like a midsummer night's dream
But this time.... in the winter



Mohammad Al-Arabi
From January 11, 2019
To January 14, 2019

This play, "A Sad Tale Best For Winter", combines elements of tragicomedy. It starts with the blind jealousy madness in the first part, which leads to many hardships and misunderstandings. However, in the second part, an elegant romance emerges, overcoming the obstacles. The play has happy Shakespearean endings, which bring a sense of relief and joy. The element of time is also significant in this play. It seems to suggest that even in a world of miracles, there will still be pain, loss, and regret. The story is not a fairy tale, but rather a realistic portrayal of human emotions and experiences. It was adapted from a previous novel, but Shakespeare added his own touch to make it a memorable play. Overall, this play is a must-read for anyone who loves Shakespeare's works.