Significance of Disguises in The Winter’s
Tale
Shakespeare, being a skillful play
writer, manipulated characters through the use of disguise for various reasons.
The use of disguise was sometimes used to develop the plot or a particular
theme within the play. In The Winter’s Tale, the presence of disguises
aid in the development of the story.
The existence of disguises within the
play allows for the uninterrupted uncovering of delicate issues. In act 4
Polixenes and Camillo disguise themselves as shepherds in order to discover
what Florizel was up to. This disguise was necessary because if they were
portraying themselves the other character would have acted different around
them and it would have been difficult to determine the truth behind Florizel’s
whereabouts.
Additionally, although a disguise may
play on deception it used by Florizel to gain a true image of Perdita. Since Florizel
is the prince of Bohemia many women would feign love just so he could marry
them. He has therefore devised a plan and has disguised himself as Doricles so
that he may determine if Perdita’s love is genuine. Her love does in fact prove
to be genuine.
The unintentional disguise used by
Perdita helps to establish the theme of spring and rebirth. Perdita plays the
role of a humble commoner who adorns her love and guests with flowers. She is
effective in depicting the season of spring that is evident in Bohemia. Perdita’s
unintentional disguise highlights the theme of rebirth and renewal that is
about to come about in the play. This renewal is also significant in regards to
Leontes, who will be taken from his period of darkness back into the light.
The use of disguises is further seen
through the character Autolycus. He utilizes disguise to enable this role or
character as a petty thief and peddler. Autolycus who is disguised has tricked
Clown and stole his money, he then uses a different disguise so that he would
not be recognized and would be able to sell his items at the sheepshearing. Autolycus’ disguises also help in lightening
the mood of the play, aiding in its transition from a tragedy to a comedy.
Finally, disguise is used as a channel
to gain what is most desired, and in this case it is love. Autolycus, who seems
to be the master of disguises, helps Florizel and Perdita in their disguise so
that they may escape to Bohemia. Florizel who is a prince and Perdita who is
believed to be a commoner are unable to freely love each other, as the King
will hear nothing of this. The two then decide to run away and disguise helps
them to love each other completely without any restraints. Disguise has also
contributed in the denouement of the play in that, Perdita is returned home and
the series of events in Sicilia take a change for the positive.
The dramatic significance/ role of
Autolycus
In the play The Winter’s Tale,
Autolycus plays the role of a peddler and thief. Although his character may seem
minor and inconsequential he has a significant function in the play.
We are first introduced to Autolycus on
the highway singing loudly. He runs into Clown and concocts a plan to execute
his trickery. He pretends to be a victim of a mugging and while Clown laments
his loss he steals the money from his pocket. Clown further enquires into his
mugging, asking who did this to him. Autolycus then describes his mugger as
himself, this is very comedic as Clown does not realize he is being blatantly
tricked and schemed. The audience/ readers may now consider that the character
Clown is a pun in itself, and Autolycus is able to considerably alter the mood
of the play to a lighter one. This significantly helps in the transition of the
play from a tragedy to a comedy as it is tragicomedy.
Furthermore, Autolycus is important to
the play as he greatly assists in its denouement. He helps Perdita and Florizel
to disguise themselves and escape to Sicilia. This ‘noble’ act allows the two
liberally indulge in their love for each other. This also helps in bringing
about a turn of events for the desolate Leontes. The oracle admonished, “The
king shall live without an heir if that which is lost be not found” (Act3;
Scene2), Autolycus has assisted in bringing the ‘lost’ back home which is
significant because this act has relieved the atmosphere in Sicilia. This is the first step in bringing the King
from the gloom and despair that encapsulated him.