Not one of the Bard's best efforts

15 June 2014

Some people believe that when it comes to very old or ancient literature, the fact that it has survived is a testament to its lasting quality, and thus it should not be rated or perhaps given a low rating. While this may be true for much of the ancient literature we have, it's also possible that some rubbish has come down to us. There's also the matter of taste. For example, while one may appreciate Homer, another may think Virgil's work is just propagandist rubbish that shouldn't have been preserved (though this isn't necessarily my view).

The thing about Shakespeare is that most of his works were preserved (though there's some debate about the lost play Loves Labour's Found). This means we have both his timeless classics like Hamlet and also his not-so-great works like A Winter's Tale. I might get in trouble with the Shakespearian Appreciation Society for saying this play is rubbish, but in my opinion, it really is.

There are several issues with the play. First, there's the confusion with geography. There's a scene set on a beach in Bohemia, but Bohemia is landlocked. Sure, it could be on a lake or river, but since the main characters sail to Bohemia, it seems the intention was to suggest they were crossing the sea. This shows that Shakespeare wasn't great with geography.

Then there's the strange appearance of a bear in the play. A character is giving a speech on a beach in Bohemia and puts a baby in a chest when suddenly a bear chases him off stage. A clown then tells the audience that the bear ripped the character to pieces. This doesn't seem to fit in a comedy, and it makes the play seem disjointed.

The play also has a problem with its tone. It starts off dark and tragic with a king angry at his wife for suspected infidelity, but then it suddenly shifts to an idyllic atmosphere of the common people. The different themes don't seem to work together, and the last scene, where the wife who was thought to be dead turns out to be a statue and then comes back to life, seems tacked on.

As I said at the beginning, A Winter's Tale is not one of Shakespeare's best plays.

I truly relished this, despite its craziness and the fact that the beginning and ending don't seem to mesh with each other. Seriously, what on earth was Leontes thinking? It's mind-boggling. And then a statue comes to life? That's just absurd. And suddenly everything is forgiven or something? It's all so strange.

However, despite all these oddities, it was still highly entertaining. There was something about the story that kept me engaged from start to finish. Maybe it was the unexpected twists and turns, or perhaps it was the unique characters and their interactions.

Even though I found myself scratching my head at times, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the drama and excitement. It was like a wild ride that I couldn't get off. And in the end, I was left with a sense of satisfaction, having experienced something truly different and unforgettable.

Overall, while this may not be a perfect piece, it definitely has its charm and entertainment value. It's a story that will stay with me for a long time, and I'm glad I took the time to read it.