The Winter’s Tale, though not the most commonly known Shakespeare play, draws on various themes seen in past plays we have read in this class. The comparisons between this play and Othello nearly mirror one another, with elements including jealousy, misogyny, betrayal, and revenge (Leontes is somehow both Othello and Iago in one). However, I am interested in the comparison between characters in Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale. Shakespeare’s characters, who are dominantly men, portray similar characteristics that have become socialized over time—especially the assumption of women as secondary characters and a masculine, possessive trait to go along with it. Furthermore, men’s insecurities come to light through the social scope of things: status, marriage, children, legitimacy. To me, it seems all connected in mismatched ways, yet ever present. Though it cannot be said for all, there is a fragility and insecurity to men when it comes to themselves and their power and control being tested. Women seem to be stuck in place in Shakespeare’s plays– perpetually under speculation. Legitimacy comes into the equation as well, questioning the morality of women and the corruption of status.

Gender is an unquestionably large role in Shakespeare’s works, and Hamlet as well as The Winter’s Tale are no exceptions. Misogyny also makes an appearance (unfortunately) in both of these works. Leontes and Hamlet both play victims to women’s “corruptive” nature, while the closest thing readers receive to an opposition is Ophelia’s response to her brother’s plea to stay away from Hamlet:

I shall the effect of this good lesson keep

As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,

Do not as some ungracious pastors do

Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven

Whiles, a puffed and reckless libertine,

Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads

And recks not his own rede.

(1.3 44-49)

Though Hamlet and Leontes have different experiences and storylines, it goes to show the normal mindset men are allowed to have and how frustrated they become when things are not going exactly as they ‘should be.’ In Act I of Hamlet, Hamlet rants on about how disgusted he is with his mother, and by the end, he becomes cynical toward women in general (“Let me not think on’t– Frailty, thy name is woman–” [1.2 146]). Leontes, in the very first act of The Winter’s Tale, creates this unnecessary image of his wife being unfaithful and convinces himself of it (with no plausible evidence, other than the length of her pregnancy and Polixenes’ stay):

Or I am much deceived, cuckholds ere now;

And many a man there is, even at this present,

Now while I speak this, holds his wife by the arm,

That little thinks she has been sluiced in’s absence

And his pond fish’d by his next neighbor, by

Sir Smile, his neighbor: nay, there’s comfort in’t

Whiles other men have gates and those gates open’d,

As mine, against their will. Should all despair

That have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind

Would hang themselves.

(1.2 190-199)

Not only is Leontes declaring ownership of his wife, but he refers to a “cuckhold,”—that women make men grow horns after they have cheated on their husbands. Similarly, Hamlet also uses this sort of reference when speaking to Ophelia in Act III: “Or if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them” (3.1. 134-136). This evidence (on both accounts) not only gives into this idea that women are betrayers and men fall victim to their wicked ways, but just how fragile men’s characters are if they must come to this conclusion. Leontes displays his insecurities to the audience quite plainly when he devises this idea about his wife having an affair. On the other hand, Hamlet takes a rather odd interest in his mother’s sexuality, which could also lead to assumptions about his own insecurities.

Legitimacy also comes into play within both works, which also leads back to the roles of men and women. Throughout Hamlet, Hamlet believes it is his duty to avenge his father, but does not at the opportune moment in Act III. He prolongs the process, whereas later on, after Polonius is killed, Laertes storms back to Denmark with an army and declares, “That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard” (4.2 117). We are able to question Hamlet’s legitimacy as his father’s son because of his actions, which ultimately leads us back to Gertrude, his mother. If Hamlet is not legitimate, then it shows yet another speculation of female infidelity. Though I have only read Act I thus far of The Winter’s Tale, there are already moments where by the suspected betrayal of a woman, legitimacy is questioned. Leontes turns to his son in Act I and says, “Mamillius, Art thou my boy?” (1.2 118) when he questions whether his wife, Hermione has been unfaithful all along and his son’s legitimacy as his own. He continues, “Why, that’s my bawcock. What, hast smutched thy nose? They say it is a copy out of mine” (1.2 121-122). Legitimacy dominates social status, and yet it all circles back to the morality and fidelity of women to their husbands. Male characters absorb such a perception that they are free to do as they wish, but women remain prisoners to their social expectations, and when this comes into question, chaos takes over—Leontes and Hamlet being the prime examples of this.