The Winter's Tale | Art and Nature

In the first essay, Edward Tayler contends that the symbols and patterns used in The Winter's Tale emphasize Shakespeare's interest in the philosophical problem of the apparent opposition between nature and art. Maurice Hunt, in the second essay, maintains that the debate in the play between art and nature is informed by a study of the ages of Leontes and Polixenes. Hunt demonstrates how age is significant in some of Shakespeare's other plays and shows that the age of Leontes and Polixenes can be determined by various references in The Winter's Tale.

Edward William Tayler
[In the following essay, Tayler contends that the symbols and patterns used in The Winter's Tale emphasize Shakespeare's interest in the philosophical problem of the apparent opposition between nature and art. Tayler demonstrates the way in which the movement of the play flows through cycles of "harmony and alienation," and "integration and disruption." As the play progresses, Tayler states, the view that nature is superior to art seems to dominate. Tayler concludes, however, that through the character of Perdita, and scenes...

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