Florizel

Play

The Winter's Tale

Summary

The Prince of Bohemia who falls in love with the shepherd girl Perdita and is entirely willing to renounce his inheritance for her. His absolute devotion contrasts with the conditional love and status-consciousness that drives much of the play's conflict, and his willingness to trust Camillo and flee to Sicilia moves the plot toward its resolution. He represents the younger generation's capacity for faith uncomplicated by adult jealousy and pride.

Notable Quotations

"When you speak, sweet, / I'd have you do it ever; when you sing, / I'd have you buy and sell so; so give alms; / Pray so; and for the ord'ring your affairs, / To sing them too." *(IV.iv)*

Cross-references

• The Winter's Tale — the play
• Romances (Late Plays)
• character_perdita — the shepherd girl he loves
• character_polixenes — his father who opposes the match
• character_camillo — who helps them escape to Sicilia