The Winters Tale
(Comedy)

After a court visit, Polixenes, an old friend of Leontes, is ready to leave, so Leontes asks his wife, Hermione, to try and persuade him to stay longer. Hermione is successful, which causes Leontes to suspect the two of having an affair. With his jealousy getting the better of him, Leontes plots to poison Polixenes. However, Camillo informs Polixenes of Leontes’ feelings and the two escape to Bohemia. Meanwhile, Hermione is thrown into jail and tried for adultery, even though the Delphic oracle has proclaimed that she is innocent. Whilst in jail, Hermione gives birth to a baby girl, who Leontes wants nothing to do with, so he orders Antigonus, husband of Paulina, to abandon the baby in the desert. Antigonus does as he is told, but is gorged by a bear soon after.

As the trial progresses, Leontes is plagued by tragedy. Mamilius, his only son, dies from the grief of what is happening to his mother. Hermione is then reported to be dead Paulina, her waiting woman. Realising what his jealousy has cost him, Leontes goes into seclusion and mourns. In Bohemia, an abandoned baby, Perdita, is discovered by a Shepard, who raises her as his own. Sixteen years later, Florizel, son of Polixenes, falls in love with Perdita. Polixenes is not happy that his son has fallen in love with a Shepardess, so Florizel and Perdita plan to escape to Sicilia, aided by Camillo.

When they reach Sicilia, Florizel and Perdita are welcomed to the court of Leontes. Polixenes follows soon after, with the old Shepard, and he reconciles with Leontes. When Perdita’s true identity as the kings daughter is revealed, Polixenes and Leontes are overjoyed that their children will marry. However, Leontes can never be truly happy when he has his wife’s death on his mind. To lift his spirits, Paulina takes Leontes to see Hermione’s statue, which turns out to be the Queen herself, who has been in hiding for the last sixteen years. Leontes is reunited with his wife and daughter, his best friend and his closest advisor, Camillo, giving him a second chance. Even Paulina benefits by gaining a husband again, with the hand of Camillo, as gratitude from Leontes for helping Hermione. By the end of the play, everything in Sicilia is back to how it was at the beginning.