The Winter's Tale
Main Characters
Leontes
Hermione
Camillo
Polixenes
Paulina
Perdita
Florizel
Leontes, King of Sicilia. His unwarrented jealousy of Hermione precipitates the action of the play.
Camillo, Lord of Sicilia. He leaves Leontes' service for that of Polixenes when Leontes orders him to kill Polixenes. He remains the faithful friend of all the principal characters.
Polixenes, King of Bohemia. Leontes suspects that Polixenes has cuckolded him. Then Polixenes' opposition to his son's marriage to Perdita brings the action back to Sicilia.
Florizel, son of Polixenes and Prince of Bohemia, in love with Perdita.
Hermione, Leontes' Queen, unjustly suspected of infidelity. In a simple yet effective courtroom speech, she stoutly maintains her innocence.
Perdita, daughter of Leontes and Hermione, in love with Florizel. The discovery of her identity fulfills the prophecy of the Delphic oracle.
Paulina, wife of Antigonous, sharp-tongued but burning for justice. She acts, in a sense, as Leontes' conscience.