Character guide

Leontes

major

Also known as King Leontes, Leontes Go, Leontes Ha, Leontes Satisfy, Leontes Good Paulina, Leontes Prithee, Leontes O Paulina, Leontes O sweet Paulina, Leontes Cease, Leontes Though, Leontes No

King of Sicilia, driven by unfounded jealousy that destroys his family and kingdom.

Hermione

major

Also known as Queen Hermione, Hermione Grace, Grace, Hermione Nay, Hermione Sir

Queen of Sicilia, falsely accused of adultery by her husband Leontes.

Polixenes

major

Also known as King Polixenes, Polixenes Soft, Polixenes This, Polixenes And, Polixenes Prithee, Exeunt Polixenes

King of Bohemia, Leontes' childhood friend and the object of his jealousy.

Perdita

major

Also known as Perdita Ay

Lost daughter of Leontes and Hermione, raised by a shepherd in Bohemia.

Florizel

major

Also known as Prince Florizel, the Prince Florizel, Florizel O, Florizel Now, Florizel O Perdita, Florizel Worthy Camillo, Florizel Camillo, Florizel Fortune, Florizel Old sir

Prince of Bohemia, son of Polixenes, who falls in love with Perdita.

Camillo

major

Also known as Camillo Ay, Camillo Sir, the good Camillo, good Camillo, Camillo Sicilia, Sicilia, Camillo Good, Lord Camillo, Camillo⁠

Lord of Sicilia, loyal advisor who flees to Bohemia and later aids the young lovers.

Paulina

supporting

Also known as the Lady Paulina, Paulina O Hermione

Noblewoman of Sicilia, fierce defender of Hermione and keeper of her secret.

Antigonus

supporting

Lord of Sicilia, husband of Paulina, tasked with abandoning the infant Perdita.

Mamillius

supporting

Also known as Exit Mamillius, Exit, Mamillius Ay, Mamillius Merry

Young son of Leontes and Hermione, whose death deepens the tragedy.

Autolycus

supporting

Also known as Autolycus Age, Enter Autolycus, Autolycus Neither, Autolycus The fardel

A roguish peddler and pickpocket who provides comic relief in Bohemia.

Shepherd

supporting

Also known as Shepherd None, Shepherd Fie, Shepherd Ay, Shepherd Sir

Old shepherd who finds and raises the abandoned Perdita as his own daughter.

Clown

supporting

Also known as Prithee Clown, Clown Prithee, Clown Alack, Clown Alas, Clown Dost, Clown Ay, Clown See, Clown Comfort

Shepherd's son, a simple country fellow who becomes involved with Autolycus.

Dion

minor

Also known as Cleomenes Dion

A lord of Sicilia sent to Delphi to consult the oracle.

Cleomenes

minor

Also known as Cleomenes Sir, Cleomenes Great Apollo

A lord of Sicilia who travels with Dion to the oracle at Delphi.

Emilia

minor

Lady-in-waiting to Hermione, who attends her during her trial and imprisonment.

Archidamus

minor

A lord of Bohemia who speaks with Camillo in the opening scene.

Dorcas

minor

Also known as Dorcas Whither, Dorcas What, Dorcas Mopsa, Dorcas Bless

A shepherdess in Bohemia who sings and dances at the sheep-shearing festival.

Mopsa

minor

A shepherdess in Bohemia, friend of Dorcas, at the sheep-shearing festival.

First Lord

minor

Also known as First Lord Good

A lord of Sicilia who reports on court matters to Leontes.

Third Gentleman

minor

Also known as Gentleman One

A gentleman who recounts the reunion of Leontes and Perdita.