The Winter’s Tale explores the depths of human emotion through trials of separation, death, and reconciliation. This romantic tragicomedy unfolds into a bittersweet story focusing on judgment error brought on by thoughts of paranoia.
Leontes, King of Sicilia, and his wife, Queen Hermione, receive Polixenes, King of Bohemia, as a guest to their court. Leontes and Polixenes are childhood friends, but the pregnancy of Hermione, which coincides with Polixenes’ visit, makes Leontes suspicious of his friend. Leontes becomes increasingly convinced that Polixenes has had an affair with Hermione. As a result of his jealousy-induced paranoia, Leontes tries to persuade Camillo—Leontes’ most trusted courtier—to poison Polixenes. However, Camillo is certain of Hermione's innocence and warns Leontes that killing Polixenes would lead to bad things. Both Polixenes and Camillo head to Bohemia together while another courtier, Antigonus, is ordered to abandon Hermione’s newborn daughter by the seashore.
Leontes tries Hermione for treason. Although he no longer wants to see his wife suffer, his pride pushes him to continue with Hermione’s trial. As a consequence for denying the oracular testimony of Apollo declaring Hermione’s innocence, both his wife, Hermione, and son, Mamillius, die. Following his orders, Antigonus leaves the helpless baby by the sea shore. However, as a final act of charity, he distracts a vicious bear to save the baby’s life and is torn to pieces as a result. Fortunately, not long after, an old shepherd and his comical son find the baby and take her in as a member of their family. They name the baby girl Perdita.
Sixteen years later, Florizel—Polixenes’ son—falls in love with Perdita. Disguised as a shepherd named Doricles, Florizel blends in with the common people and woos Perdita. Meanwhile, Autolycus—a shady pedlar—tricks the old shepherd and his son out of money. After finding out that his son is courting a mere shepherdess, Polixenes denounces his son. However, Camillo helps Florizel and Perdita to flee to Sicilia so that they live together without fear of being broken apart. The old shepherd and his clownish son follow, bringing items that reveal Perdita’s true relation to Leontes. Paulina, Hermione’s most trusted companion, reveals a statue of the dead Queen and tells her audience to prepare themselves for a great wonder.
Leontes, King of Sicilia, and his wife, Queen Hermione, receive Polixenes, King of Bohemia, as a guest to their court. Leontes and Polixenes are childhood friends, but the pregnancy of Hermione, which coincides with Polixenes’ visit, makes Leontes suspicious of his friend. Leontes becomes increasingly convinced that Polixenes has had an affair with Hermione. As a result of his jealousy-induced paranoia, Leontes tries to persuade Camillo—Leontes’ most trusted courtier—to poison Polixenes. However, Camillo is certain of Hermione's innocence and warns Leontes that killing Polixenes would lead to bad things. Both Polixenes and Camillo head to Bohemia together while another courtier, Antigonus, is ordered to abandon Hermione’s newborn daughter by the seashore.
Leontes tries Hermione for treason. Although he no longer wants to see his wife suffer, his pride pushes him to continue with Hermione’s trial. As a consequence for denying the oracular testimony of Apollo declaring Hermione’s innocence, both his wife, Hermione, and son, Mamillius, die. Following his orders, Antigonus leaves the helpless baby by the sea shore. However, as a final act of charity, he distracts a vicious bear to save the baby’s life and is torn to pieces as a result. Fortunately, not long after, an old shepherd and his comical son find the baby and take her in as a member of their family. They name the baby girl Perdita.
Sixteen years later, Florizel—Polixenes’ son—falls in love with Perdita. Disguised as a shepherd named Doricles, Florizel blends in with the common people and woos Perdita. Meanwhile, Autolycus—a shady pedlar—tricks the old shepherd and his son out of money. After finding out that his son is courting a mere shepherdess, Polixenes denounces his son. However, Camillo helps Florizel and Perdita to flee to Sicilia so that they live together without fear of being broken apart. The old shepherd and his clownish son follow, bringing items that reveal Perdita’s true relation to Leontes. Paulina, Hermione’s most trusted companion, reveals a statue of the dead Queen and tells her audience to prepare themselves for a great wonder.