The Winter's Tale Read Online Free PDF Page B

to ask.
ACT 2 SCENE 3
    Lines 1–45: Leontes reveals that he has not rested “Nor night nor day” and his fragmented speech and violent imagery show his disordered mind. He regrets that Polixenes “the harlot king” is safe “beyond” his reach, but comments that Hermione is not: he can “hook” her to him and have his revenge. A servant brings news of Mamillius, who is unwell. Leontes blames Mamillius’ sickness on his mother’s “dishonour” and sends the servant back to his son. As his thoughts return to paranoia and revenge, Paulina enters, carrying the baby. The Lords try to keep her away, saying that Leontes has not slept and does not wish to be disturbed. She points out that their indulgence of Leontes’ whims will just “Nourish the cause of his awaking.” Insisting that she will speak to him “with words as medicinal as true,” she addresses Leontes.
    Lines 46–157: Leontes blames Antigonus for Paulina’s intrusion, asking if he cannot “rule” his wife, raising issues of power and patriarchy and his own desire for control over Hermione. Paulina reports that the “good queen” has given birth to a daughter, and lays the baby before Leontes. Furious, Leontes commands Antigonus to pick up the “bastard” and give it to Paulina, but Paulina forbids her husband to touch the “princess.” When Antigonus obeys his wife, Leontes mocks him and calls everyone “a nest of traitors.” He orders that both Paulina and the baby should be burned. Paulina draws the Lords’ attention to the fact that the baby is “a copy” of Leontes, emotivelydescribing the fragile perfection of the child as she does so. Leontes orders Antigonus to remove his wife from the chamber, but Paulina remains in control, insisting that she will go of her own accord.
    Lines 158–242: Leontes accuses Antigonus of treachery and orders him to take the baby away and burn it within the hour, or he himself will “dash out” its “bastard brains.” The Lords beg Leontes to spare the baby. Leontes asks Antigonus what he will do to save the baby’s life, and Antigonus bravely replies “Anything,” declaring that he would die “To save the innocent.” Leontes makes him swear an oath and orders him to take the baby to “some remote and desert place” and abandon it there. Antigonus, bound by his oath, leaves with the child. A servant brings the news that Cleomenes and Dion have returned from the oracle. Leontes orders a public trial for Hermione.
ACT 3 SCENE 1
    Cleomenes and Dion discuss the beauty and calmness of Delphos, a contrast to the tension and conflict in the Sicilian court. They hope that the sealed proclamation from Apollo will prove “successful to the queen.”
ACT 3 SCENE 2
    Lines 1–128: Leontes admits that the trial of Hermione “pushes” against his heart. He expresses his desire that a public trial will clear him of “being tyrannous.” Hermione is brought in, accompanied by her attendants and Paulina. The indictment against her is read: she is accused of treason “in committing adultery with Polixenes,” of “conspiring with Camillo” to kill Leontes, and of helping Camillo and Polixenes to escape. Hermione responds by pointing out that, as her integrity is already “counted falsehood,” her plea of “Not guilty” will not be believed. She insists that the “powers divine” know her innocence. Leontes accuses her of bearing “a bastard by Polixenes” and informs her that the baby has been “cast out.” He tells her to “Look for no less than death.” Hermione claims that she does notfear dying, as it cannot be any worse than her current suffering, and calls upon the judgment of Apollo. The oracle’s proclamation is sent for.
    Lines 129–163: Cleomenes and Dion bring in the