The Winter's Tale

The Winter's Tale begins in a court of polished friendship, where Leontes of Sicilia and Polixenes of Bohemia celebrate a lifelong bond and the promise of their children, especially young Mamillius. But when Hermione's easy charm persuades Polixenes to prolong his visit, Leontes' admiration curdles into suspicion, and a private jealousy soon poisons the whole state. Convinced of adultery, he demands Camillo poison Polixenes, then publicly accuses Hermione, imprisons her, and destroys his own family with blind rage. As grief and repentance follow catastrophe, the play turns toward loss and wonder. Antigonus abandons the infant Perdita in Bohemia and is swept away by a bear, only for a shepherd and his son to discover the child and a hidden cache of gold. Sixteen years later, Time carries the story forward into renewal: Camillo serves Polixenes in Bohemia, while the king learns his son Florizel has fallen in love with Perdita, now raised among shepherds. Suspecting danger, Polixenes sets out in disguise, and the play opens into a world where jealousy, exile, chance, and redemption intertwine. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.