The Winter’s Tale · Chapter
Scene II: The Trial of Hermione explained
Leontes presides over a public trial of Hermione, accusing her of adultery with Polixenes and conspiracy with Camillo.
What happens
Leontes presides over a public trial of Hermione, accusing her of adultery with Polixenes and conspiracy with Camillo. Hermione defends her honor eloquently, but Leontes remains unmoved. She appeals to the Oracle of Apollo. The oracle pronounces her chaste and Leontes a jealous tyrant, but Leontes rejects it. News arrives that Prince Mamillius has died of grief. Hermione collapses and is reported dead by Paulina, who fiercely rebukes Leontes. Leontes, stricken with remorse, vows perpetual penance.
Themes in this chapter
Jealousy and Paranoia
Leontes' unfounded jealousy drives the trial, leading to tragic consequences.
Faith and Oracles
Hermione's appeal to Apollo's oracle and Leontes' rejection of it highlight the conflict between human judgment and divine truth.
Loss and Renewal
The deaths of Mamillius and Hermione represent profound loss, setting the stage for eventual renewal.
Characters to notice
- Leontes
Presides over the trial, rejects the oracle, and is devastated by the deaths of his son and wife.
- Hermione
Defends herself with dignity, appeals to the oracle, and collapses upon hearing of Mamillius's death.
- Paulina
Bravely denounces Leontes as a tyrant and announces Hermione's death.
- Mamillius
Reported dead from grief and fear for his mother's fate.
- Cleomenes
Returns from Delphos with the sealed oracle.
- Dion
Returns with Cleomenes, bearing the oracle.
- Camillo
Mentioned as having fled; Leontes now acknowledges his honesty.
- Polixenes
Mentioned as the alleged co-conspirator; declared blameless by the oracle.
Key passages
“This sessions, to our great grief we pronounce, Even pushes ’gainst our heart: the party tried The daughter of a king, our wife, and one Of us too much beloved.”
Leontes opens the trial with heavy heart, stating that the accused is his own wife, whom he loved too much.
Leontes' opening words reveal his conflicted emotions.
“If powers divine Behold our human actions, as they do, I doubt not then but innocence shall make False accusation blush and tyranny Tremble at patience.”
Hermione asserts that divine powers will vindicate her innocence and shame her accusers.
Hermione's faith in divine justice contrasts with Leontes' tyranny.
“Hermione is chaste; Polixenes blameless; Camillo a true subject; Leontes a jealous tyrant; his innocent babe truly begotten; and the king shall live without an heir, if that which is lost be not found.”
The oracle declares Hermione innocent, Polixenes blameless, and Leontes a jealous tyrant, warning that he will remain heirless unless the lost child is found.
The oracle's pronouncement is the pivotal moment of truth in the trial.
“The prince your son, with mere conceit and fear Of the queen’s speed, is gone.”
A servant reports that Prince Mamillius has died from anxiety and fear for his mother's fate.
Mamillius's death is the immediate consequence of Leontes' actions.
“What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me? What wheels? racks? fires? what flaying? boiling?”
Paulina sarcastically asks Leontes what tortures he has prepared for her, condemning his tyranny.
Paulina's fierce rebuke underscores the moral outrage of the scene.
