A king's unfounded jealousy destroys his family and kingdom.
King Leontes of Sicilia accuses his wife, Queen Hermione, of infidelity with his childhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia. Consumed by irrational jealousy, Leontes becomes obsessed with proving Hermione's supposed adultery and orders her imprisonment before putting her on trial, where she steadfastly maintains her innocence.
Leontes' baseless accusations lead to the destruction of his family: Hermione dies of grief, her newborn daughter is abandoned in a distant land, and her son, Mamillius, dies due to the distress caused by his father's madness. Leontes' abandoned daughter, Perdita, grows up as a shepherdess, unaware of her royal heritage. Sixteen years later, she returns to Sicilia.
This Standard Ebooks edition is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright's 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition.
Perfect for readers who love Shakespeare's masterful blend of tragedy and comedy, this timeless tale of jealousy, loss, and miraculous redemption showcases the Bard at his most emotionally complex. With its unforgettable characters, dramatic twists, and ultimate triumph of love over suspicion, The Winter's Tale remains one of literature's most powerful explorations of forgiveness and second chances.