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Scene i
In the kingdom of Sicilia, Archidamus and Camillo are discussing the difference and the friendship between their kings, and then conclude with praising the young prince, Mamillius, son of Leontes.
Scene ii
Polixenes, king of Bohemia, intends to return home after his nine-month stay. Leontes fails to persuade him to stay longer, while his queen Hermione succeeds. Leontes expresses his suspicion of the close relationship between his friend and his wife. Leontes grows more jealous. He tells his lord Camillo of Hermione's and Polixenes's adultery. At first, Camillo does not believe him, but eventually he yields to Leontes. Camillo promises to poison Polixenes, on the condition that Hermione remains Lrontes's queen. However, Camillo reveals the Leontes's plot of murdering to Polixenes, and helps him to escape form Sicilia by being Polixenes's servant.Scene I
Leontes learns the flight of polixenes and Camillo and firmly believes they meant to take his crown by murdering him. He separates Mamillius from Hermione, whom he accuses of adultery. Despite her denial, he decides to prison her. Two of his lords try to convince him of the queen's innocence. Finally, Leontes promises to ask Apollo's oracle to confirm the truth of his accusation.
Scene ii
, Antigonus's wife Paulina comes to visit Hermione, but is refused. Hermione's attenant, Emilia is summoned to talk to Paulina about the queen's giving birth to a beautiful daughter. Paulina decides to take the baby Leontes in order to soften his heart.
Scene iii
While Leontes is afflicted with the restlessness, Paulina enters with the baby to convince him that the baby is his. Leontes grows angrier with Paulina, who later departs. Leontes orders Antigonus to abandon the baby in a desert place. After Antigonus leaves with the baby, the oracle from Apollo comes. Leontes orders a public trial where Hermione should be accused.Scene i
Leontes's messengers, Cleomenes and Dion just return with Apollo's oracles, which they hope to vindicate the queen's innocence.
Scene ii
Hermione, on trial, defends herself, but Leontes rejects her proclaimed innocence. The oracle is brought to the court. It vindicates Hermione's and Polixenes's innocence, and further proves Camillo's honesty. The oracle concludes with a prophecy that Leontes will die with any heir, if that which is lost be not found. Leontes still rejects the oracle, but at the moment the news about Mamillius's death is brought. Leontes now acknowledges Apollo's anger, and promises to reconcile himself with Polixenes, Hermione and Camillo. But, Paulina enters to reveal the death of Hermione. Leontes vows to repent at the graveyard of his queen and son for the rest of his life.
Scene iii
Antigonus arrives at the desert shore of Bohemia. He tells how Hermione came to his dream, telling him to bring the baby here; and warning him that he shall never see his wife again. He puts the baby with a scroll and a bundle. A storm begins, and he is chased away by a bear. An old shepherd finds the baby. Then, his son arrives with the news Antigonus has been eaten by the bear. They decide to take the baby home.Scene i
"Time" personified as an old man with wings and an hour-glass, tells how he is passing over a gap of sixteen years. He reminds the audience of existence of Polixenes's son, Florizel and Perdita.
Scene ii
Polixenes refuses Camillo's request to return to Leontes, and then discuss his son with Camillo. They both discover that Florizel visits the old shepherd's beautiful daughter. Polixenes asks Camillo to go with him in disguise to the shepherd's house to investigate.
Scene iii
A rogue Autolycus comes singing and introduces himself while the clown is on his way to market. Autolycus robs him, pretending to have been beaten up and robbed by "Autolycus" himself.
Scene iv
Florizel, disguised as a young countryman 'Doricles', courts Perdita, who is about to be the hostess of the feast. Guests arrive for the feast, including Polixenes and Camillo in disguise, as well as other shepherds and the clown. The shepherd urges Perdita to welcome her guest in proper manner. As the feast proceeds with dances, Autolucus, disguised as a pedlar arrives at the feast to entertain the guests by singing ballads. Polixenes questions the old shepherd about 'Doricles'. While Florizel is asking the shepherd to seal their betrothal, Polixenes disrupts, and reveals his true identity. He threatens to hang the old shepherd and disinherit Florizel. Camilli decides to help them to flee to the Sicillian Court. However, Camillo reveals their escape to Polixenes, who will leave for Sicilia later. Autolycus stops the clown and the old shepherd from reaching Polixenes to reveal Perdita's origin, and urges them to depart for Sicilia too. <Top>Scene i
In Sicilia, Leontes is still lamenting the wrongs he did. Although his courtiers urge him to forgive himself and remarry, he promises Paulina that he will not marry another woman without her bidding. Then, Florizel and his 'princess' arrive, but their plan is revealed by the announcement of Polixenes's arrival with Camillo. Leontes is persuaded to help Florizel to be his advocate.
Scene ii
Through three gentles as well as Autolycus, the news about the reunion between Leontes and Polixenes and the revelation of Perdita's true identity are told. The old shepherd and the clown now enjoy their new status as gentlemen. As Perdita desires to see her mother's statue, they go to Paulina's house.
Scene iii
In Paulina's house, everyone is impressed by the lifelikeness of Hermione's statue. Paulina declares that she can make the statue move if Leontes wishes. Paulina then calls for music, and urges the statue to descend from the pedestal. Now, reunited with Hermione, Leontes betroths Camillo and Paulina, and leads them away to celebrate the miracle.
