The Winter's Tale

The play revolves around the story of King Leontes, who becomes paranoid and jealous of his wife Hermione's friendship with his best friend King Polixenes of Bohemia. Leontes accuses Hermione of being unfaithful and orders her imprisonment. When she gives birth to a daughter, Mamillius, he orders the baby to be abandoned. However, the oracle of Delphi reveals that Hermione is innocent and that Leontes' actions are punishment enough. Years later, Leontes' son Mamillius dies under mysterious circumstances, leading to a series of tragic events that ultimately lead to the restoration of Leontes' family and the reconciliation of his relationships with those he has wronged.

By William Shakespeare · First published 1611 · Genre: Drama, Romance, Tragedy · 15 chapters

Contents

• SCENE I
• SCENE I
• SCENE I
• SCENE I
• SCENE I
• SCENE II
• SCENE II
• SCENE II
• SCENE II
• SCENE II
• SCENE III
• SCENE III
• SCENE III
• SCENE III
• SCENE IV

More by William Shakespeare

• Shakespeare's Sonnets (1609)
• The Tragedy of Macbeth (1606)
• The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (1595)
• The Merchant of Venice (1596)
• The Tragedy of Othello (1603)
• Hamlet (1623)
• King Lear (1606)
• Antony and Cleopatra (1607)
• All works by William Shakespeare