What Shakespeare wants to talk is how to build up the real harmony in a society which is composed by men and women.
In fact, the kingdom of Sicily, as it is presented to us in the opening of the plays, is an idyllic heaven full of happiness. Leontes, looked like a reasonable, enthusiastic, wise and able ruler. His Marriage with Hermione is also described as harmonious and is well matched. Besides, we notice the relations between father and son, king and officials are all on friendly terms. Apparently the royal life in Sicily kingdom is peaceful and harmonious. So we will certainly feel surprised when Leontes" jealousy bursts out suddenly and destroys almost all the happiness and peace suddenly. How can the harmonious relationship be so fragile and unstable? There must be something hidden behind the seemingly harmony. Apparently, Polixenes" interference destroys the balance of Leontes and persons surrounded him. In Leontes" chaotic mind, it is Polixnes who robs him of his wife, his most trusted official and his dignity. However, what strikes him most is the betrayal of his friend. .
There is no doubt that the friendship between Leontes and Polixnes symbolizes a kind of male union. Since both of them act as the ruler of kingdom, their union can be defined as an embodiment of the male orders and authority. We notice that for many times, both of them mention their childhood and show their cherishing for the time when they were both innocent boys:.
Polixenes. We were, fair queen, .
two lads that thought there was no more behind, .
but such a day tomorrow as to-day, as to be boy eternal.(I.12).
It is obvious that if possible, they want to live in the perfect innocent world forever. But their innocent world, as polixees mentions to Hermoine, was stained by the "temptations" from women. They still endeavor to preserve their friendship in defiance of the temptation from women and keep their male union pure and stainless.
