2007 Season - Genesius Guild

Shakespeare: "The Winter's Tale"

“The Winter’s Tale” is another pastoral work, adapted by Shakespeare from Robert Greene’s “Pandosto.” Again, Shakespeare follows the story closely, carrying over into his play all the characters, adding only one, Mopsa.

The ruler of Bohemia, Polixenes, has been visiting the court of Leontes and Hermione, rulers of Sicilia, for several months. When Polixenes decides to leave, Leontes urges him to stay. He refuses until Hermione pleads with him. When Polixenes relents, Leontes is suddenly overcome with jealousy, which quickly rages out of control. He even doubts the paternity of his son, Mamillius, and his unborn daughter.

He orders Lord Camillo to kill Polixenes. Camillo decides against such a monstrous act and warns Polixenes to leave at once and to take him with him. Polixenes’ flight convinces Leontes that he is right. He sends Hermione to prison where she is delivered of a daughter. When the Lady Paulina presents the infant to the king, he denies his paternity and commands Antigonus, Paulina’s husband, to take the child away and kill it.

Hermione is brought to court and condemned by Leontes. He will not change his mind even when the Delphi oracle tells him he is wrong. However, when word is brought that Mamillius has died, devastated by his father’s actions, Leontes relents. Hermione swoons at the news of Mamillius’ death and is taken away. Paulina returns to tell the king that Hermione is dead as well. Leontes realizes what a monster he has been and has been justly punished.

Meanwhile, Antigonus reaches the coast of Bohemia where he abandons the baby he has named Perdita in a cradle lined with gold and jewelry. He is chased from the scene by a bear which kills him. The Baby is found by an old shepherd and his son. The old man takes her as his daughter.

Sixteen years pass.

Perdita welcomes guests to the spring sheep-shearing, especially a young man she knows as Doricles, who is actually Florizel, the son of Polixenes. A con artist, named Autolycus, arrives to gull the shepherds of their money, especially, the somewhat dim son of the old shepherd.

Polixenes and Camillo attend the event in disguise to find out what is drawing Prince Florizel from the castle. The kings reveals himself and storms out, ordering his son to give Perdita up or be disinherited. Camillo remains behind and advises Florizel and Perdita to take ship and visit the repentant Leontes in Sicilia. He has Florizel change clothes with Autolycus in order to disguise himself.

The old shepard, fearful of Polixenes’ anger, plans to show him the things which were found in Perdita’s cradle. Autolycus overhears him and, pretending to be a courtier, persuades the old man and his son to take ship with the lovers and he will manage to settle all problems for them.

Florizel and Perdita arrive at Sicilia and are warmly greeted. However, Camillo has followed with Polixenes and the atmosphere changes. However, all is settled when Perdita is revealed to be Leontes’ daughter. The old man and his son are treated like nobility, to Autolycus’ chagrin, and everyone precedes to Lady Paulina’s to be shown a lifelike statue of the dead Hermione.

The statue is really Hermione, who has lived in seclusion all this while. To cap the happy reunions, Paulina is matched with the faithful Camillo as the play ends.