Absolute Shakespeare: Top Ten Significant Quotes from The Winter's Tale

1. "We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i'the sun,And bleat the one at the other: what we chang'd

Was innocence for innocence; we knew not

The doctrine of ill-doing, no, nor dream'd

That any did." (Act 1, scene 2, lines 67-71)

Polixenes tells Hermoine of the his great friendship with Leontes in their youth.

2. "Paddling palms, and pinching fingers." (Act 1, scene 2, line 115)

Leontes looks suspiciously at Hermoine and Polixenes as they talk together.

3. "A sad tale's best for winter: I have one

Of sprites and goblins." (Act 2, scene 1, lines 25-26)

Mamilius responds to his mother when she asks him to tell a story.

4. "What's gone, and what's past help,

Should be past grief." (Act 3, scene 1, lines 222-23)

Paulina speaking after a distressed Leontes has realized all the harm done by his jealousy.

5. "Exit, pursued by a bear." (Act 3, scene 3, line 58)

Stage direction for Antigonus' exit.

6. "When daffodils begin to peer,

With heigh! the doxy over the dale,

Why, then comes in the sweet o' the year;

For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale." (Act 4, scene 3, lines 1-4)

Autolycus sings of spring.

7. "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." (Act 4, scene 3, lines 1-4)

Autolycus describing his occupation as a peddler.

8. "The self-same sun that shines upon his court

Hides not his visage from our cottage, but

Looks on all alike." (Act 4, scene 4, lines 446-48)

Perdita speaks after Polixenes has banned her and Florizel from ever seeing each other again.

9. "Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance." (Act 4, scene 4, line 712-13)

Autolycus describes himself.

10. "'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach." (Act 5, scene 3, line 99)

Paulina commands the statue of Hermoine to move.

From,

Absolute Shakespeare