Scene II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Reconciliation and Family

  Leontes seeks forgiveness from Polixenes and embraces his daughter, reuniting the royal families.

• Loss and Renewal

  The joy of finding Perdita is mingled with grief for Hermione and Antigonus, illustrating the cycle of loss and renewal.

• Art vs. Nature

  The statue of Hermione by Julio Romano is described as so lifelike it 'beguiles Nature,' highlighting the tension between artistic imitation and natural life.

Characters to notice

• Autolycus

  Eagerly seeks news of the discovery and later asks the Shepherd and Clown for their good report to the prince.

• Shepherd

  Now recognized as a gentleman after Perdita's identity is revealed; he and his son are embraced by the royal family.

• Clown

  Proudly boasts of his new gentleman status and agrees to vouch for Autolycus to the prince.

• Paulina

  Described as experiencing a noble combat between joy for the oracle's fulfillment and sorrow for her husband Antigonus's death.

• Leontes

  Overwhelmed with joy at finding Perdita, he cries out for Hermione and seeks forgiveness from Polixenes.

• Perdita

  Discovered as Leontes' daughter; she is deeply moved by the story of her mother's death.

• Camillo

  Present during the revelation, sharing in the king's amazement and joy.

• Antigonus

  Reported to have been torn to pieces by a bear, his death coinciding with the discovery of Perdita.

Key passages

• “they looked as they had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed: a notable passion of wonder appeared in them; but the wisest beholder, that knew no more but seeing, could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow; but in the extremity of the one, it must needs be.”

  They stared as if they had heard news of a world saved or a world lost; their wonder was so intense that even the smartest onlooker couldn't tell if it was joy or sorrow—though it had to be one extreme.

  Describes the king and Camillo's reaction to the revelation of Perdita's identity.

• “There might you have beheld one joy crown another, so and in such manner that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy waded in tears.”

  You could see one joy heaped upon another, so much so that sorrow itself seemed to weep as it departed, because their joy was immersed in tears.

  Describes the emotional meeting of the two kings and the discovery of Perdita.

• “But O, the noble combat that 'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina! She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled.”

  Oh, what a noble battle between joy and sorrow raged in Paulina! One eye looked down in grief for her lost husband, the other looked up in triumph because the oracle had come true.

  Highlights Paulina's conflicting emotions at the reunion.