Paulina
Character Description
Paulina is the strong and unshakeable character of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Her character helps move the play into its magical denouement. With her outspoken charisma, she is unafraid to speak the truth when the so-called “men” fail to do so because of fear. It isn’t to say she is fearless, but that she has the courage to face her fears. Paulina faces all that could go wrong in order to stand as the voice of honesty and truth. Paulina ends up proving to her own self just how strong she is by bringing Hermione back to life. Throughout her sixteen-year journey of meditation with Leontes she becomes far more humble; but the fire inside her, the feisty-ness, is forever burning.
When Paulina is first introduced, her character seems to be planning and undertaking how to get her Queen—and best friend—out of her unlawful position as a prisoner. She first comes off as a strong and very solid woman who stands for truth. She possesses a strength within her core as women have much before her time, as are her ideologies. This is the reason why she explodes in the courtroom; she has been suppressing herself. Although it may not seem so, she is finally pushed beyond her limits with the death of honest—her gracious Queen. Realizing Leontes repents immensely for what he has done, she feels remorse for having used strong words against him. During the sixteen years that passes, she forms a true friendship with Leontes. Throughout this time she grows both emotionally and logically, yet always holding true to her compassionate self. At the end of the play she brings Hermione back to life with the reconnection built within the sixteen years when Paulina truly believes Leontes is genuinely remorseful of Hermione’s wrongful accusation. She proves that with unwavering faith, not blind, anything is possible and all is achievable.
Given the chance to perform this character has given me a broader understanding of the importance of Shakespeare and his genius. Specifically, playing Paulina helps me understand the role of woman in today’s society. She represents the present female who lives in the 21st century and how allowing ourselves to truly break free from social constructions and ideas thrown on ourselves don’t make us who we are; by growing into ourselves, through time, we will be opened up to who we truly are. Personally, I feel as though I am Paulina. Playing this role revealed to me a lot about my own self—my strengths, and faults. Playing her and taking in the words of Shakespeare not only reveals me to myself, but to the people, specifically the men who surround me. As the play progresses she matures immensely in regards to her conscious, but always keeps true to her true colors. This progression is how I would seek to live my life; to always grow with new knowledge, but keep to who I am by opening my body and mind to my soul. I realize Paulina is the artist of her time because she rebels against the chaos and injustice of her society.
When Paulina is first introduced, her character seems to be planning and undertaking how to get her Queen—and best friend—out of her unlawful position as a prisoner. She first comes off as a strong and very solid woman who stands for truth. She possesses a strength within her core as women have much before her time, as are her ideologies. This is the reason why she explodes in the courtroom; she has been suppressing herself. Although it may not seem so, she is finally pushed beyond her limits with the death of honest—her gracious Queen. Realizing Leontes repents immensely for what he has done, she feels remorse for having used strong words against him. During the sixteen years that passes, she forms a true friendship with Leontes. Throughout this time she grows both emotionally and logically, yet always holding true to her compassionate self. At the end of the play she brings Hermione back to life with the reconnection built within the sixteen years when Paulina truly believes Leontes is genuinely remorseful of Hermione’s wrongful accusation. She proves that with unwavering faith, not blind, anything is possible and all is achievable.
Given the chance to perform this character has given me a broader understanding of the importance of Shakespeare and his genius. Specifically, playing Paulina helps me understand the role of woman in today’s society. She represents the present female who lives in the 21st century and how allowing ourselves to truly break free from social constructions and ideas thrown on ourselves don’t make us who we are; by growing into ourselves, through time, we will be opened up to who we truly are. Personally, I feel as though I am Paulina. Playing this role revealed to me a lot about my own self—my strengths, and faults. Playing her and taking in the words of Shakespeare not only reveals me to myself, but to the people, specifically the men who surround me. As the play progresses she matures immensely in regards to her conscious, but always keeps true to her true colors. This progression is how I would seek to live my life; to always grow with new knowledge, but keep to who I am by opening my body and mind to my soul. I realize Paulina is the artist of her time because she rebels against the chaos and injustice of her society.