Analysis of King Leontes Transformation Essay -- King Leontes William

Analysis of King Leontes TransformationJealousy and judgement, or quite a misjudgement, seem to be major themes in Shakespeares plays, in which most judgements are assumed by no logical basis or ingenious wit. King Leontes, unlike Othello, comes to his conclusion by his own means, without any outside verification of truth or logical explanation for his jealousy. However, there are many another(prenominal) similarities, based on their situation, between him and Othello. Both men transform, emotionally, into beast like figures whose actions ultimately end their lineage. Although Perdita remains alive, and is able to carry on King Leontess bloodline, his name will die with her marriage to Florizel. Othello and King Leontes also adapt a diction that transforms their language into something that resembles the baseness of humanity by the presentation of stupid images and rape that signify the personal anxieties of each men. However, King Leontess chemise is different in that his jealousy and language seem to adjust abruptly and without warning. In act one, scene 2, lines 180-208, of The Winters Tale, one can see King Leontess complete alteration into a desperate man who eventually kills his wife and son. Through an analysis of these lines, it is easy to see the desperation and hate King Leontes develops towards his wife and Polixenes by the treatment of nature and property as a means to talk about sex and betrayal. From the onset of this scene, Hermione maintains her womanly virtue by inviting King Leontes to accompany her and Polixenes on their walk. Despite this proof of fidelity, King Leontes wishes to negate her devotion to him by witnessing her interaction with Polixenes from afar. King Leontes asserts that ... ...uman kind altogether, through a false syllogism that is only supported by jealousy and misinterpretation. Shakespeares treatment of this transformation reflects social anxieties that deal with notions of power, property, relati onships, and the need to maintain power or control over those things. Nonetheless, although these lines serve as an important proponent for gaining insight to King Leontess irrational, emotional, and even misanthropic state, they by no means advocate the kings actions or decisions. Furthermore, these lines demonstrate Shakespeares ability to use language to its highest authorisation as well as reflect the social conditions and underlying concerns of his era. Work CitedShakespeare, William. The Winters Tale. The Norton Shakespeare Based on the Oxford Edition. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York W.W. Norton & Company, 1997. 2883-952.