1. NATURE AND THE SUPERNATURAL

2. Apollo’s Oracle at Delphi Apollo was god of light and the sun; truth and prophecy; medicine, healing, and plague; music, poetry, and the arts. Delphi was thought to be the centre of the earth The oracle was consulted for big decisions Characters, including Leontes, put trust in the oracle: The great Apollo suddenly will have The truth of this appear (2.3.199-200)

3. Act 3 Scene 1 There is a contrast with the claustrophobic court: The climate's delicate, the air most sweet, Fertile the isle (3.1.1-3) Dion and Cleomenes seem affected by the holy atmosphere of Delphi: O, the sacrifice! How ceremonious, solemn and unearthly It was i' the offering! (3.1.6-8)

4. Act 3 Scene 1 Cleomenes gets a sense of the dreadful power of the gods: The burst and the ear-deafening voice o’th’oracle…so surprised my sense that I was nothing. Like Nature the Supernatural is to be feared and respected as well as admired But the characters trust in the gods to be just: Great Apollo Turn all to the best!

5. Act 3 Scene 2 Leontes dominates the court and only seems to recognise the power of the gods: Your honours all, I do refer me to the oracle: Apollo be my judge! Those gathered in the court trust that Apollo will see justice done: Now blessed be the great Apollo! In an act of hubris Leontes defies Apollo: There is no truth at all i' the oracle: The sessions shall proceed: this is mere falsehood.

6. 3.2 His punishment is immediate and severe He asks for forgiveness: “Apollo, pardon My great profaneness against thine oracle” However, redemption cannot be granted without suffering and penance Paulina makes this clear and he accepts: “Come, and lead me to these sorrows.”

7. The Ending The happy ending is brought about by the characters But it is possible to see the supernatural hand of fate at work In act 5 scene 2 it is reported that in his joy at being reunited with his daughter Leontes asks for forgiveness

8. Act 5 Scene 3 Paulina does not want people to think she is performing magic: but then you'll think-- Which I protest against--I am assisted By wicked powers. She does orchestrate the magical transformation of the statue: Music, awake her; strike!

9. 5.3 Shakespeare has Leontes admire the pagan power of the magic: O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. Hermione recognises the power that the gods have – granting forgiveness and protection: You gods, look down And from your sacred vials pour your graces Upon my daughter's head!

10. The Supernatural Like Nature the supernatural in this play can be cruel but also kind; It can dish out punishment and grant forgiveness. It commands respect