'What's gone and what's past help
Should be past grief.'
Act III scene 2 line 223-224
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Plot synopsis
Polixenes, King of Bohemia, has been on a lengthy visit to his old friend, Leontes, King of Sicilia. As the time comes for his friend to return home, Leontes begs him to stay a little longer, but Polixenes cannot be persuaded. However, when Queen Hermione asks him, he agrees to stay. Leontes becomes suspicious at this and takes it into his head that the two of them are guilty of adultery, convincing himself that the child Hermione is expecting is not his but Polixenes'. Read more...
2006 production - Exploring Shakespeare
Explore Dominic Cooke's 2006 production with this multimedia resource. Includes photo galleries, an audio interview and teachers' notes. Find out more...
Digitised picture archive
See pictures from productions of The Winter's Tale throughout the centuries. See more...
