Perdita 4. Flashcards
Quote
“These keep seeming and savour all the winter long”
“I would i had some flowers o’ the spring that might become your time of day”
“Wear upon your virgin branches yet”
Overview
Perdita is seen to be playing hostess on behalf of her guardian and is handing out flowers which she has deep knowledge on to Polixenes, Camillo and her friends without knowing that this is her partners father
Analysis
This deep knowledge on flowers allows her to be seen as different to others of her class as she is able to carefully and knowledgeably articulate her ideas of these flowers, allowing the king to question if she is a shepherds daughter due to the politeness and sophistication that she carries
Dramatic Method
Symbolism is a huge factor within this play due to seasons as this play starts off in Winter that symbolises old age, death and grimness that is associated with the older generations of the play that climaxes at the end with Hermione and Antignous’ deaths. Spring symbolises renewal, rebirth, new beginnings that’s associated with the younger generation that climaxes on a happy ending.
The combination of the contradictory associations of both these times of year just as it is a combination of the qualities of the several genres and 2 climaxes of the play
Context
Within the renaissance period of 1500-1660 being born Out of (supposed) wedlock led to many restrictions on children such as discrimination, prejudice and could result in being put to death.
Perdita was seen to come from a lower class family (irony as she was princess) resulting in rejection for her inter-class relationship that would’ve brought shame and rejection onto the family.
Line virgins refers to new beginnings and youth as no one could have premarital sex
This can relate to being apart of Shakespeares last plays as he contrasts the first section of the play as being in winter contrasted to the now spring. This can be relevant in the last plays as these plays contained ambiguous genres alerting the audience to knowing that the tragedy is almost over while it moves into the new beginnings of spring allowing this play to be categorised as a last play
Link
This can link to the first act with Mamillius stating “a sad tale’s best for winter” in conversation with Hermione allowing foreshadowing of the first section acts 1-3 being sad tragedies. Perdita alerts the audience that this is dying out through the symbolism of these flowers as she rejects these flowers
