The Winter's Tale | Summary

Act I
In Sicilia, King Leontes attempts to persuade his boyhood friend King Polixenes of Bohemia to extend his nine-month visit. Polixenes objects, stating that he has pressing business at home. Leontes then requests that his wife, Hermione, intercede. At the pregnant Hermione's insistence, Polixenes agrees to stay. Leontes then reveals that he believes Hermione and Polixenes to be secretly having an affair. After questioning his advisor Camillo about his suspicions, which Camillo does not believe, Leontes orders Camillo to poison Polixenes. Camillo agrees, but...

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