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A Winter ’ s Tale

A Winter ’ s Tale. Act IV Scene III. Character overview. Characters : Autolycus : a mischievous pickpocket that pretends to be a victim of a brutal robbery in order to receive the sympathy of the victims from whom he steals Clown : the shepherd ’ s son; Perdita ’ s “ adopted ” brother.

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A Winter ’ s Tale

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  1. A Winter’s Tale Act IV Scene III

  2. Character overview Characters : • Autolycus: a mischievous pickpocket that pretends to be a victim of a brutal robbery in order to receive the sympathy of the victims from whom he steals • Clown: the shepherd’s son; Perdita’s “adopted” brother

  3. Summary The scene begins with Autolycus joyfully walking down a road in Bohemia, singing about the spring time, sex, and the origin of his name. • “When daffodils begin to peer, / With heigh, the doxy over the dale / Why then comes in the sweet o’the year, / For the red blood reigns in winter’s pale.” • Significance: This scene completely changes the tone of the play. It takes the audience instantly from a wintery atmosphere where grief is prevalent to a scene where a thief is singing joyfully, regarding serious matters (such as theft and prostitution) as whimsical pleasures. • This is also the first use of music in the play. It may represent some sort of harmonious connections that will be made. All of the words are in rhyming verse, as well.

  4. Summary “The lark, that tirra-lirra chants, / With heigh, with heigh, the thrush of the jay, / Are summer songs for me and my aunts.” • Autolycus’ attitude towards infidelity appears to completely contrast with Leonte’s, which is has been the reason for the tragedies of the first three acts.

  5. Summary “My father named me Autolycus, who being, as I am, littered / under Mercury, and was likewise a snapper-up of unconsidered / trifles. • In Greek mythology, Autolycus was the son of Hermes and Chione. He was a thief and possessed the power change into the shape of whatever he stole. • The Romans referred to Hermes as Mercury, hence the significance of Autolycus’ reference to it.

  6. Summary Autolycus sees the clown coming and immediately recognizes him as a potential victim and exclaims… • “A prize, a prize!” • “If the springe hold, the cock’s mine.” The clown begins to count out his money and begins listing off the things that he was sent to purchase, when he notices Autolycus groaning and groveling on the ground. The clown also mentions his sister’s request for rice, which may allude to a future wedding.

  7. summary As the clown inquires about Autolycus’ troubles, Autolycus begins to reenact his fictitious robbery and beating, acting as if he were in a great deal of pain and sorrow. When the clown tries to pick him up, Autolycus picks the clown’s pocket and then refuses the clown’s offer to give him a small amount of money. The clown wishes him well, says that he must go and buy spices for a sheep shearing, and the exits the stage.

  8. Summary As an aside, Autolycus says that the clown will not have enough money to buy the spices, and that he will be with the clown at the sheep-shearing if he does not commit another act of deception. “Your purse is not hot enough to purchase your spice. I’ll be / with you at your sheep-shearing, too. If I make not this cheat / bring out another, and the shearers prove sheep, let me be/ unrolled and my name put in the book of virtue.”

  9. Autolycus In The Role of Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale, Lee Sheridan Cox describes Autolycus’ character as: • Symbolizing “‘a unique creation’ and ‘fresh breath of spring’” • Satirist • Instrument of criticism for the court • Representing London street Life

  10. Autolycus In Scene Stealers: Autolycus, The Winter’s Tale, and Economic Criticism, Barabara Correll presents Autolycus as a symbol for capitalism and the market place. She explains that Mercury is the god of commerce, and that through his interchanging of dialogue with other characters, Autolycus represents good commerce within this play.

  11. The faces of Autolycus Ethan Hawke 2009 “The Bridge Project” David Michael Edwards 2004 Utah Shakespeare Festival Autolycus (1836) Charles Robert Leslie

  12. What is Autolycus’ true significance in this act? As a character that takes fidelity lightly and seems to travel alone, do you think that Shakespeare may have attempted to recreate a reflection of his own life by way of Autolycus? What reasons can you give for this? (Think of the discussion from last Thursday’s class).

  13. Video Clip • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VttCtet0oIs

  14. Works Cited Cox, Sheridan. "The Role of Autolycus in The Winter's Tale ." Cox Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 . 9.2 (1969): 283-301. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. Jonathan, G. H. (2006). Money and the age of shakespeare: Essays in new economic criticism. Shakespeare Studies, 34, 261-267,14-15.

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