PAULINA
I am sorry for't.
All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,
I do repent. Alas, I have showed too much
The rashness of a woman; he is touched
To the noble heart. What's gone, and what's past help,
Should be past grief.
. . .

In Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, Paulina's words encapsulate the theme of regret and acceptance. After witnessing the tragic consequences of King Leontes' unfounded jealousy, Paulina admonishes herself for her earlier harshness towards him. Her acknowledgment of "the rashness of a woman" reflects the gender norms and expectations of the time, implying that her emotional response was impulsive. However, her realization that "what's gone, and what's past help, should be past grief" conveys a deeper wisdom. It suggests a turning point—an understanding that dwelling on unchangeable events only prolongs suffering. This message becomes poignant in the context of the play, where grief and loss have already wrought irreversible damage. Paulina's words advocate for moving forward, hinting at the possibility of redemption and healing, themes central to the resolution of the story.