The Winter's Tale

The Winter's Tale is a "problem play" by William Shakespeare that tells the story of Perdita, the wrongfully abandoned child of Leontes, King of Sicilia. A problem play is generally defined by its inability to be easily assigned to the traditional categories of comedy or tragedy. The Winter's Tale is considered a problem play by some because its first three acts are filled with intense psychological drama, while the last two acts are comedic and supply a happy ending.

Fast Facts

1. Writer: William Shakespeare
2. Settings: the kingdoms of Sicilia and Bohemia
3. Written between 1594 and 1611
4. First Published: 1623
5. ISBN 978-1903436004
6. Primary Source: Robert Greene's Pandosto
7. Contains the most famous of Shakespeare's stage directions: "Exit, pursued by a bear."

Main Characters

1. Leontes: King of Sicilia.
2. Hermione: Queen to Leontes.
3. Perdita: daughter to Leontes and Hermione.
4. Polixenes: King of Bohemia.
5. Florizel: his son.
6. Camillo: A Sicilian Lord.
7. Autolycus: a rogue.
8. Antigonus: A Sicilian Lord.
9. Paulina: his wife and fierce defender of Herione's virtue

Famous quotes

• "A sad tale's best for winter." 2.1

• "Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance." 4.3

• "It is a heretic that makes the fire, not she who burns in 't." -2.3

• "Since what I am to say must be but that which contradicts my accusation..."-3.2

• "Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would fright me with, I seek." -3.2

• "What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me?" -3.2

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