, originally published in the First Folio
of 1623. Although it was grouped among the comedies, some modern editors have relabelled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances
. Some critics, among them W. W. Lawrence, consider it to be one of Shakespeare's "problem plays
", because the first three acts are filled with intense psychological drama, while the last two acts are comedic and supply a happy ending
.
Nevertheless, the play has been intermittently popular, revived in productions in various forms and adaptations by some of the leading theatre practitioners in Shakespearean performance history, beginning after a long interval with David Garrick
in his adaptation called Florizel and Perdita (first performed in 1754 and published in 1756.
Camillo: You pay a great deal too dear for what's given freely.Archidamus: Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me, and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.
You put me off with limber vows; but I,Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths,Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verily,You shall not go; a lady's verily'sAs potent as a lord's. Will you go yet?Force me to keep you as a prisoner,Not like a guest; so you shall pay your feesWhen you depart, and save your thanks. How say you?My prisoner or my guest? by your dread verily,One of them you shall be.
We were, fair queen,Two lads that thought there was no more behind,But such a day to-morrow as to-day,And to be boy eternal.
What we chang'dWas innocence for innocence; we knew notThe doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'dThat any did.
Of this make no conclusion, lest you sayYour queen and I are devils: yet, go on;The offences we have made you do, we'll answer,If you first sinn'd with us, and that with usYou did continue fault, and that you slipp'd notWith any but with us.
My last good deed was to entreat his stay;What was my first? it has an elder sister,Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace!But once before I spoke to the purpose: when?Nay, let me have't; I long.
They say we areAlmost as like as eggs.
You may as wellForbid the sea for to obey the moon,As, or by oath remove, or counsel shakeThe fabric of his folly, whose foundationIs pil'd upon his faith, and will continueThe standing of his body.