1. ©JeannineNorth2012
The Winter’s Tale
Act 2 Scene 3

2. Lines 1 – 26 (‘Nor night, nor day…Enter Paulina’)
©JeannineNorth2012
Lines 1 – 26 (‘Nor night, nor day…Enter Paulina’)
What evidence is there to suggest that Leontes has not slept? Why is this significant?
Discuss his desire to have Hermione ‘Given to the fire’.
What is symbolic about the decline of Mamillius?
This is the bit where…
Leontes wishes he could have Hermione burnt to death;
We learn that Mamillius is ill (dying?): Leontes blames Hermione;
Leontes desires ‘revenge’, ironically.

3. Lines 26 - 129 (‘You must not enter’ … ‘we are gone.’)
©JeannineNorth2012
Lines (‘You must not enter’ … ‘we are gone.’)
What is Leontes’ attitude towards women in this section?
What is your impression of Paulina?
What is significant about lines 125-6?
This is the bit where…
Paulina presents Leontes with his daughter;
Antigonus is faced with a moral decision;
Leontes condemns Paulina, Hermione, his new-born child and (perhaps) all women everywhere, to death.

4. Lines 130 – 192 (‘Thou, traitor...Another’s issue.’)
©JeannineNorth2012
Lines 130 – 192 (‘Thou, traitor...Another’s issue.’)
Explore the imagery in lines
What other part of the play does this section remind you of?
Explore line 153.
How is the theme of fate developed in this section?
This is the bit where…
Leontes relents (a little) and orders Antigonus to leave the child ‘where chance may nurse or end it’ (as opposed to having ‘it’ ‘burnt’.)
He fails (again) to heed the advice of his advisors and friends.

5. Lines 192 – 206 (‘Please your highness...think upon my bidding.’)
©JeannineNorth2012
Lines 192 – 206 (‘Please your highness...think upon my bidding.’)
What further evidence of Leontes’ hubris is there in this section?
In what way does his attitude towards the trial develop his role as a tragic hero?
This is the bit where…
News arrives that Cleomenes and Dion have arrived from Delphos;
Leontes makes arrangements for Hermione’s ‘trial’.