The Winter's Tale - Summary

Question 1

Act 1 - Scene 1

Answer 1

Summary - Camillo (Sicilian lord) and Archidamus (Bohemian lord) discuss the long-standing relationship between Leontes and Polixenes
Themes - friendship, loyalty
Key Quotes -

Question 2

Act 1 - Scene 2

Answer 2

Summary - Leontes begs Polixenes to extend his visit to Sicilia, he then asks Hermione to convince him to which he agrees. Leontes immediately becomes possessed by jealousy and is convinced that Hermione and Polixenes are having an affair. Leontes orders Camillo to poison Polixenes, Camillo tells Polixenes and the two men flee
Themes - jealousy
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Question 3

Act 2 - Scene 1

Answer 3

Summary - Leontes publicly accuses Hermione of adultery and declares her unborn child as illegitimate. He throws her in prison and sends for the Oracle of Delphi to confirm his suspicions. Hermione’s dignity contrasts Leontes’ rage. Mamillius is distressed.
Themes - justice, innocence
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Question 4

Act 2 - Scene 2

Answer 4

Summary - Paulina attempts to reason with Leontes. She brings Hermione’s newborn to him, hoping to soften his heart. Leontes refuses.
Themes - feminine strength
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Question 5

Act 2 - Scene 3

Answer 5

Summary - Leontes orders the baby to be abandoned. The Oracle’s judgement arrives, declaring Hermione and Polixenes innocent. Leontes rejects the oracle, Mamillius dies from sickness, and Hermione collapses at the news.
Themes - divine justice, loss
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Question 6

Act 3 - Scene 1

Answer 6

Summary - Cleomenes and Dion return with the Oracle, brief scene, transitional.
Themes - fate
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Question 7

Act 3 - Scene 2

Answer 7

Summary - The Oracle is read. After tragedies strike, Leontes begins to repent. He believes Hermione came to him in a dream and told him to name the baby Perdita. Hermione is presumed dead and Leontes accepts guilt.
Themes - guilt, redemption
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Question 8

Act 3 - Scene 3

Answer 8

Summary - Antigonus abandons baby Perdita in Bohemia. He’s killed by a bear and Shepherd finds and raises Perdita.
Themes - fate, renewal
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Question 9

Act 4 - Scene 1

Answer 9

Summary - 16 years later, time is personified.
Themes - passage of time, healing, rebirth
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Question 10

Act 4 - Scene 2

Answer 10

Summary - Polixenes discusses Perdita and Florizel’s romance, and plans to confront his son.
Themes - authority, love
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Question 11

Act 4 - Scene 3

Answer 11

Summary - Autolycus, a rogue, steals from the clown, comic relief.
Themes - deception, comedy
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Question 12

Act 4 - Scene 4

Answer 12

Summary - Florizel and Perdita celebrate the sheep-shearing festival. Polixenes, in disguise, condemn Florizel, and demand that he never sees Perdita again.
Themes -
Key Quotes -

Question 13

Act 5 - Scene 1

Answer 13

Summary - Leontes continues to repent and mourn. With Camillo’s help, Florizel and Perdita arrive in Sicilia. They used the clothes of Autolycus. They’re joined by the shepherd and his son, a clown.
Themes - redemption, reconciliation
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Question 14

Act 5 - Scene 2

Answer 14

Summary - Offstage revelations - Perdita’s identity revealed, father/daughter reunion, they all travel to Paulina’s home.
Themes - forgiveness
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Question 15

Act 5 - Scene 3

Answer 15

Summary - Paulina unveils Hermione’s statue, which comes to life. Hermione and Leontes reunited.
Themes - resurrection, miracle, art vs reality