A Case for Romantic Men in Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale

My interest in masculinity in The Winter’s Tale stems not only from Leontes’ relationship to his manhood, but also from how other male characters relate to behavioral norms and expectations of men. An important comparison I wanted to test is between Leontes and Florizel. While Leontes is anxious and insecure about his performance as a powerful, authorative masculine figure, Florizel is certain of his identity and masculine characteristics. An interaction between Florizel and Perdita in Act 4 scene 4 highlights this distinction. While Leontes fails his duty as a husband and ruler and condemns Hermione, Florizel is faithful to Perdita and desires to be her’s. These differing qualities reflect how these male characters consider their own manhood.

Many aspects of Florizel and Perdita’s relationship contrast with Leontes and Hermione’s relationship, but I will focus on an exchange right before the festival begins in Act 4 scene 4. Perdita is embarrassed of their differing statuses and reversed outfits, highlighting how aware she is of her status as a low-class shepherdess. However, Florizel responds to her concerns by discussing the transformations of classical gods for their loves. He goes even further in comforting her by telling her his standards of his own feelings, promising that his “desires run not before mine honour, nor my lusts burn hotter than my faith” (4.4.33-35). Not only is Florizel aware of these standards of masculine love and sexual restraint, he embraces them and upholds them unselfishly. This contrasts with Leontes whose “focus is inward, on the satisfaction of the self” rather than the wellbeing, concerns, or pleas of others, especially his innocent wife (Thomas 213). Florizel’s confident proclamation of masculine expectations also differs from Leontes complete disregard for his duties as a king, husband, and father. Instead of Leontes taking his role as “the head of the country and chief executor of justice” seriously and upholding it, he abuses his power and becomes a bloodthirsty tyrant (Thomas 215). Even if Florizel is disobeying his father’s wishes with Perdita, he is still stewarding his power as a man and prince instead of abusing it. This highlights Leontes’ destructive and insecure relationship with his own masculinity in comparison to Florizel’s confident and unselfish application of his.

A key element of Leontes’ insecurity is his need for validation and fragile ego. This differs from Florizel who is certain of his love for Perdita even if his father rejects it, saying, “Or I’ll be thine, my fair, or not my father’s. For I cannot be mine own, nor any thing to any, if I be not thine” (4.4.42-45). Even as Perdita fears Polixenes’ rejection of their marriage, Florizel is confident in his desire and passion. He needs no validation other than his own and Perdita’s. This highlights his confidence and certainty of self. Conversely, Hermione and Leontes’ exchanges reveal Leontes’ insecurity as “her clear, cogent confidence makes Leontes’s overstated efforts for public acceptance look desperate” (Thomas 216). Leontes, in many scenes and exchanges, reveals his desire for approval, respect, and authority over and from others. However, Florizel is so certain in his own convictions and desires that he does not care about the approval of anyone. His desires for respect, approval, and authority are met in his love and want to bond to Perdita, associating “the giving of himself to Perdita with a sovereignty over the self” (Alfar 176). Rather than his value and identity based off the opinions of others, Florizel gives himself the power over his own life and pursuits. As Leontes chases power and absolute authority, Florizel believes he already has power and authority over his own life and choices.

Furthermore, he believes an integral part of his identity is his love for Perdita as he says he cannot be his own or anyone’s if he does not belong to her. This is another interesting contrast as much of Leontes’ tyrannical actions stem from his jealousy and possessiveness of his “wife's body not just [as] a sexual object but a piece of property” (Alfar 171). Leontes’ view of masculinity involves absolute authority of his wife, who he views economically rather than lovingly. When Leontes fears Polixenes stole his property and lineage, he falls into a jealous rage and loses all care for his wife as a person. However, Florizel views marriage as mutual possession, promising Perdita that “I’ll be thine, my fair” (4.4.42). Florizel sees Perdita not as an object he controls, but as a human that also has authority and ownership over him. He is not obsessed with what Perdita does for him, her virtue, or status, but what he will do for Perdita and how he wants to be with her. Florizel’s manhood does not rely on sovereignty over his wife as a sexual object but on his faithfulness to his beloved as a woman he cherishes. This far healthier and selfless view of marriage produces a stronger, more confident character in Florizel, who can deliver on his passions rather than fall prey to them.

Comparing Florizel’s and Leontes’ understanding and application of their masculinity in their romantic relationships highlights how Leontes’ vision of manhood is destructive, fragile, and rooted in insecurity. If manliness itself were at fault, all the men in The Winter’s Tale would exhibit the same flaws as Leontes. However, it is Leontes’ selfish understanding of what manhood looks like and insecurities about being truly masculine that lead him to become a tyrannical monster. In contrast, Florizel’s self-determining and virtue-based understanding of masculine expectations cause him to be a truly faithful romantic hero. This comparison helps illustrate room to research Leontes’ relationship with himself and his masculinity as it influences his actions and relationships with others.