The Winter's Tale characters

First appears in chapter 2

The king of Sicilia, host to his childhood friend Polixenes. His sudden conviction that his wife and friend have betrayed him overwhelms old loyalties and turns the royal household into a place of accusation and fear.

First appears in chapter 2

The queen of Sicilia, pregnant with Leontes's child and gracious toward the visiting king of Bohemia. She is bewildered when ordinary courtesy is recast as evidence against her.

First appears in chapter 2

The king of Bohemia and Leontes's friend since boyhood. After a long visit in Sicilia he intends to return home, but Hermione persuades him to extend his stay.

First appears in chapter 2

A Sicilian lord trusted by Leontes. When the king orders him to poison Polixenes, Camillo recognizes that the command rests on jealousy rather than proof and must choose between obedience and conscience.

First appears in chapter 2

The young son of Leontes and Hermione, loved by the Sicilian court. His playful life with the household women is abruptly disturbed by his father's accusations against Hermione.

First appears in chapter 3

A Sicilian lord and Paulina's husband. He objects to Leontes's treatment of Hermione but remains exposed to the king's authority.

First appears in chapter 4

A noblewoman of Sicilia, wife to Antigonus and a fearless defender of Hermione. She confronts Leontes directly, refusing to soften unwelcome truths for the sake of royal favor.

First appears in chapter 8

The infant daughter of Hermione and Leontes, rejected by her father and abandoned on the coast of Bohemia. Following a dream, Antigonus gives her the name Perdita before leaving her with identifying objects and gold.

First appears in chapter 8

A poor shepherd in Bohemia who finds an abandoned baby together with valuable objects that hint at the child's origins. He takes the infant into his household.

Also known as Clown

First appears in chapter 8

The Old Shepherd's son, a rustic young man who arrives with extraordinary news from the coast. He joins his father in taking the found child and the treasure home.

First appears in chapter 11

A rogue, peddler, and entertainer roaming Bohemia. Recently dismissed from Prince Florizel's service, he lives by songs, disguises, theft, and a quick reading of other people's weaknesses.

Also known as Doricles

First appears in chapter 12

The son of Polixenes and prince of Bohemia. Disguised as a shepherd named Doricles, he openly courts Perdita despite the difference in rank he believes separates them.