Polixenes, King of Bohemia, is visiting Leontes,
ruler of Sicily. Polixenes is suspected of having
an affair with Hermione, the wife of Leontes. Warned
of a plot to kill him, Polixenes returns to Bohemia.
In spite of the Oracle claiming her to be innocent,
Hermione is accused of adultery and put in prison
where she gives birth to a daughter Perdita. Leontes
orders Antigonus to take the baby and abandon it,
which he does. Leontes only son dies and hearing
of the death of Hermione, Leontes withdraws into
a secluded life. Found by a shepherd, Perdita is
raised as his daughter for the next sixteen years.
Florizel, son of Polixenes, meets and falls in love
with Perdita but Polixenes opposes his son loving
a mere shepherdess. Florizel flees with Perdita
to Sicily, where the true identity of Perdita is
discovered. Leontes and Polixenes approve of their
children's proposed marriage. Hermione's death still
hangs over Leontes, but he finds her again.
