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     With its historic ports filled to the brim wit boats, the Castello di Caccamo could have served as the home of the fictional King Leontes of Shakespeare's Winter's Tale. The castle pictured on the right has survived many a change in ruling. Although now under Italian rule, Sicily was once a country with a king that ruled it as its own country. Shakespeare used this area to distance the setting from the reader. It allowed him to create more of a mystical aspect for this play.[14]

Castello di caccamo, Sicily, Italy

 Castle Å ternberk, Å ternberk, Czech Republic

     On the other side of the story we find King Polixenes, of Bohemia, who could have lived in a castle like the one pictured on the left. Sternberk Castle was built in the 14th century well before Shakespeare's time, however, he chose this setting as a way to create a sense of awe and wonder in his audience of lands far away. This allowed him to draw the listener into his narrative and enjoy the story. [7]

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