# Scene III explained — The Winter’s Tale

> Chapter companion for The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Autolycus, a roguish trickster, sings of his thieving ways and encounters the Clown, whom he robs by pretending to be a beaten traveler. The Clown, preparing for the sheep-shearing feast, is duped into helping Autolycus, who picks his pocket and plans further mischief at the festival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Identity

Autolycus's shifting disguises and his commentary on court versus country life highlight the fluidity and performance of social identity.

## Character check-ins

### Autolycus

Introduced as a cunning rogue and former servant of Prince Florizel; he sings of his life as a thief and pickpocket, then tricks the Clown into helping him while stealing his purse.

### Clown

The Shepherd's son, busy buying spices for the sheep-shearing feast; he is kind-hearted but gullible, falling for Autolycus's deception and having his pocket picked.

### Florizel

Mentioned as the prince whom Autolycus once served, though he does not appear in this scene.

## Key lines

> My traffic is sheets; when the kite builds, look to lesser linen. My father named me Autolycus; who being, as I am, littered under Mercury, was likewise a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles.

My business is stealing bed sheets; when the kite builds its nest, watch out for smaller laundry. My father named me Autolycus, and like him, born under the planet Mercury, I am a thief of things people overlook.

_Autolycus boasts of his thieving nature, linking his name and character to the mythological Autolycus, son of Hermes (Mercury), known for cunning and theft._

> If the springe hold, the cock's mine.

If my trap works, I've caught my prey.

_Autolycus uses a hunting metaphor to express confidence that his trick on the Clown will succeed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters