The Winter's Tale

Leontes, King of Sicily, suspects his wife Hermione of having an adulterous relationship with Polixenes, King of Bohemia. In his jealous rage he brings about the imprisonment and apparent death of Hermione, attempts the murder of Polixenes, arranges the exposure of his infant daughter and causes the death of his only son only to discover too late that his suspicions were groundless.

That this was originally listed among the comedies in the First Folio is due to the delightful pastoral fourth act, set sixteen years later, and the final scenes of redemption, forgiveness and resurrection. 2014 marks the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.