Polixenes is the king of Bohemia. At the beginning of the play, he is visiting Leontes, the king of Sicilia. The two kings have been friends since childhood, Polixenes fondly remembering that childhood as one of carefree innocence as yet untempered by the realities of the world. The two were then indistinguishable in their innocence and energy. Polixenes reminds Leontes, "We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i' the sun / And bleat the one at th' other" (I.ii.66-67). Polixenes announces that he must return home, and Leontes insists that he stay longer. Polixenes, however, stubbornly...
Source: Shakespeare for Students, ©2013 Gale Cengage. All Rights Reserved. Full copyright.
(The entire page is 349 words.)
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