# Scene III explained — The Winter’s Tale

> Chapter companion for The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Antigonus abandons the infant Perdita on the Bohemian coast, following the instructions from Hermione's ghost. He is then pursued and killed by a bear. A Shepherd and his son, the Clown, discover the baby and the gold left with her, deciding to keep both.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loss and Renewal

The chapter juxtaposes the loss of Antigonus and the shipwreck with the renewal found in the Shepherd discovering Perdita and the gold.

### Faith and Oracles

Antigonus's belief in Hermione's ghost and his superstitious obedience to the dream reflect the theme of faith in supernatural guidance.

## Character check-ins

### Antigonus

Antigonus carries out his oath to abandon Perdita, recounts Hermione's ghostly visitation, and is chased and killed by a bear.

### Perdita

The infant Perdita is left alone on the Bohemian coast, named by her mother's ghost, and discovered by the Shepherd.

### Shepherd

The Shepherd finds Perdita and the gold, deciding to take her in and keep the treasure secret.

### Clown

The Clown witnesses the shipwreck and Antigonus's death, then helps his father discover the baby and gold.

### Hermione

Hermione's ghost appears to Antigonus in a dream, instructing him to name the child Perdita and foretelling that he will never see his wife again.

## Key lines

> Come, poor babe: I have heard, but not believed, the spirits o' the dead May walk again: if such thing be, thy mother Appear'd to me last night

Antigonus addresses the baby, saying he never believed in ghosts until Hermione's spirit visited him in a dream.

_Antigonus recounts his supernatural encounter with Hermione's ghost._

> I never saw The heavens so dim by day. A savage clamour! Well may I get aboard! This is the chase: I am gone for ever.

Antigonus observes the darkening sky and hears a wild noise, realizing he is being chased and will never return.

_Antigonus's final words before being pursued by the bear._

> Thou mettest with things dying, I with things newborn. Here's a sight for thee; look thee, a bearing-cloth for a squire's child!

The Shepherd tells his son that he encountered death (the bear and shipwreck) while the Shepherd found new life (the baby).

_The Shepherd contrasts the Clown's grim news with his own discovery of Perdita._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters