In The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, failure, especially as it relates to the shortcomings of any major character in accomplishing his or her obligations, is a constant theme throughout the narrative, and one that underpins every major plot event and its ripple effects among the characters. Camillo is perhaps the best example of what consecutive failures can do to someone who would much rather choose to disobey a direct order than pursue the ravings of a mad king, like Leontes, or escape to the good graces of a needy king, like the Polixenes. Nevertheless, Camillo's "failure" as the subject of not one, but two courts, is not without sparking much debate, having been systematically placed in difficult positions where he must choose between the betrayal of his king and the betrayal of his own morality. . When it comes to Camillo's actions, or rather inaction, the illusion of choice is what leads to his "failure", but perhaps shouldn't be his cross to bear. Later, he is led down a path of no return until the very end of the play, when all is forgiven by Leontes and Camillo must do penance in the church for the rest of his life. A larger question is posed by Camillo's failures: what encourages Camillo to disobey his kings' orders? Is it a higher moral compass that points him towards the right path? Or is it out of personal interest and self-preservation that pushes him to betray their trust? Perhaps both are in play and working hand in hand as the events of the story unfold. Regardless, failure has different dimensions and different ways of looking at it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayHaving done his best to escape the consequences of his failures as a loyal cupbearer and advisor to the two kings, Camillo embodies this broader ideal: failure as a subject. Although he survives the waves he causes in his betrayal of Leontes and Polixenes, Camillo is the fly caught in the tangle of royal drama. When Camillo is first introduced in the play as Leontes' trusted advisor and cupbearer and a prominent, high-ranking Sicilian lord, it is quickly revealed that when things are going well, Camillo does not work well under pressure and fails when the time is right. do what needs to be done. Leontes, suspecting his wife Hermione of an affair with his childhood friend Polixenes, the king of Bohemia, confides in Camillo about his growing concerns of infidelity. Soon after, Leontes orders Camillo to poison Polixenes, and although Camillo initially gives in to his demands, he inevitably backtracks on his mission when approached by Polixenes: "Sir, I will tell you, since I am charged with honor, and by him. whom I find honorable... I appointed him (Leontes) to assassinate you. (1.2.402-403, 409) Camillo here demonstrates his failure as a subject, but to what extent does his hesitation amount to failure? Arguably, Camillo's refusal to kill the king is a failure in terms of loyalty, but overall he should be commended for preventing the murder of an innocent man. After Camillo's confession in his plot to poison Polixenes on behalf of Leontes, Polixenes offers him safe passage and freedom from Leontes' tyranny, which Camillo readily accepts. Fearing for his life and the repercussions that might ensue once Leontes gets wind of what is happening, Camillo and Polixenes return to Bohemia and avoid Leontes as the edge approachesmore and more on the verge of madness. As Camillo narrowly escapes the clutches of Leontes, he finds himself prey to the drama of another court, at which point in the story Camillo's failure as a friend supersedes that of his failure as a subject . Polixenes' heir, Prince Florizel, ends up falling in love with the modest shepherdess Perdita, who is the ignorant daughter of Leontes after ordering her to be abandoned in the desert during her episode of paranoia. Polixenes forcefully disapproves of their relationship, then begs Camillo to remain his advisor while all this ensues. But as Camillo assures him that he will stay as long as the king needs him, deep in his heart he misses his family and his country very much and wishes to return home. Then another difficult choice presents itself, and once again Camillo chooses himself, but there is a different reason behind this decision, which must be seen as a real failure as opposed to his dissent when he was ordered to kill the king. When asked to continue his service to Polixenes, Camillo lies and feigns his oath of loyalty, fearing what might happen if he refuses the king's request. When asked to poison Polixenes at the beginning of the play, Camillo was ultimately unable to do so out of moral and religious duty, but in this case Camillo betrays Polixenes out of fear for his own life. In planning his escape from Bohemia, Camillo aids and abets Florizel and Perdita in their escape as a diversion for Polixenes so that when he makes his own escapade it will go unnoticed: "His departure I could prepare in my turn to save him anger. , do him love and honor, redeem the sight of this dear Sicilia and this unfortunate king, my master, whom I so thirst to see. (4.4.514-518) Although some deception is involved in Camillo's plan, no one is hurt in the process except Polixenes' feelings. Thanks to Camillo, the two lovebirds, Florizel and Perdita, can finally be together without anything coming between them and their love. Mutually beneficial, Camillo shows a certain compassion for the loving couple and finds a way for everyone to benefit from his project. From here, the broader question of the underlying motivations behind Camillo and his decisions is central to understanding how failure is possible. his guiding hand and influence in the sequence of events in the story. Aside from Camillo's supposed failures as a subject and trusted friend, there is the question of what motivated him throughout the story and throughout his choices that affected him on a personal and forced him away from home for a significant period of time. duration. Because Camillo was often forced to choose between his king and his own moral code, which so often conflicted with those of Leontes and Polixenes, he eventually learned to stop putting the ambitions of others before himself and to follow his own desires instead of serving the interests of others. fill those of Leontes and/or Polixenes. On the one hand, Camillo is most likely motivated by his own devout Christian understanding of morality and the difference between good and evil. When confronted by Polixenes about Leontes' strange behavior, Camillo realized that he could not commit the murder, especially when there was no evidence to support Leontes' suspicions of a connection. By failing to complete the task given to him by Leontes, Camillo saves Polixenes from a terrible fate and soon after finds himself in Polixenes' service for fifteen years, at which time he is guilty by Polixenes of remaining his cupbearer. Accompanying Polixenes in disguise to see Florizel and Perdita, and after listening to the king forbid them from..