The Winter's Tale
SYNOPSIS
Polixenes, king of Bohemia, plans to leave the court of his boyhood friend Leontes, king of Sicilia, when Hermione, Leontes’ pregnant wife, persuades him to prolong his visit. Leontes suspects Hermione of adultery with Polixenes and asks Camillo to poison him. Camillo, convinced of Polixenes' innocence, flees with him to Bohemia. Enraged by their escape, Leontes confines Hermione to prison while he dispatches messengers to the oracle at Delphi for advice. Paulina, a lady of the court, advocates for the queen while Hermione’s daughter is born in prison, and her son, Mamillius, falls ill. When Leontes is presented with the new child, he orders Paulina’s husband, Antigonus, to kill the baby.
At trial, Leontes refuses to acquit Hermione even when the oracle declares her innocence. A servant rushes in to announce that Prince Mamillius has died. The blow brings Leontes to his senses, but it is too late; Paulina announces the queen’s death. Guilt-stricken, Leontes vows perpetual penance. The scene then shifts to Bohemia where Antigonus names the baby Perdita and abandons her. He exits ‘pursued by a bear’ and his ship sinks in a storm. An old shepherd and his son find Perdita and take her home to raise.
Sixteen years pass and Perdita, unaware of her royal birth, is a shepherdess. Polixenes's son, Florizel, has been secretly wooing her and the two hope to marry but Polixenes discovers the plan and forbids the match. Camillo, still in exile, persuades the couple to fly to Sicilia. There a repentant Leontes, who eventually recognizes Perdita as his daughter, greets them with joy. Back in Bohemia Polixenes and Camillo, the shepherds and Autolycus, a con-man, follow her to Sicilia. There the secret of Perdita’s true parentage comes out. All are happily reunited and Paulina unveils Queen Hermione’s statue. Leontes is overcome by its extraordinary likeness to his wife but Paulina has one further surprise in store…
- by Peter Holland