"Daffodils, That Come Before The Swallow Dares"

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PERDITA
. . . Now my fair'st friend,
I would I had some flowers o' th' spring that might
Become your time of day; and yours, and yours,
That wear upon your virgin branches yet
Your maidenheads growing. O Proserpina,
For the flowers now, that frighted thou let'st fall
From Dis's wagon; daffodils,
That come before the swallow dares, and take
The winds of March with beauty; violets, dim,
But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes,
Or Cytherea's breath; pale primroses,
That die unmarried, ere they can behold
Bright Phoebus in his strength . . .

In this passage from The Winter’s Tale, Perdita's gift of flowers symbolizes purity, beauty, and the transient nature of youth. By invoking Proserpina, the goddess of spring, she connects the flowers to themes of innocence and renewal. The timing of the daffodils—"That come before the swallow dares"—emphasizes their bold beauty, heralding spring before the arrival of other symbols of the season. This imagery underscores both the ephemeral and daring nature of youth. Perdita’s descriptions elevate the natural world, drawing parallels with mythological figures like Juno and Cytherea, who represent divine beauty and grace. Through this poetic language, Shakespeare highlights Perdita's own connection to nature and her innate nobility, despite her upbringing as a shepherdess.

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