Hi,
Robert Greene, who famously referred to Shakespeare as 'an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers...in his owne conceit the onely Shake-scene in a countrey", wrote the source material for The Winter's Tale.
Here are some links to some info about Pandosto:
The full text - with modern spelling
Pandosto at Wikipedia
It's worth considering the things that Shakespeare changed from the source material. As always, Shakespeare's language transforms the story to create a richness way beyond that of the source. The drama is heightened. It is infused with poetry and comedy.
Often, Shakespeare creates a character who either doesn't exist in the source or is very different - often a show-stealing character. Think Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Or, in The Winter's Tale, both Autolycus and Paulina.
Also, throw in a bear and a statue - and you have an infinitely better (and weirder) piece of work.
Mr M
Robert Greene, who famously referred to Shakespeare as 'an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers...in his owne conceit the onely Shake-scene in a countrey", wrote the source material for The Winter's Tale.Here are some links to some info about Pandosto:
The full text - with modern spelling
Pandosto at Wikipedia
It's worth considering the things that Shakespeare changed from the source material. As always, Shakespeare's language transforms the story to create a richness way beyond that of the source. The drama is heightened. It is infused with poetry and comedy.
Often, Shakespeare creates a character who either doesn't exist in the source or is very different - often a show-stealing character. Think Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Or, in The Winter's Tale, both Autolycus and Paulina.
Also, throw in a bear and a statue - and you have an infinitely better (and weirder) piece of work.
Mr M
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