# The Winter’s Tale — Character guide

> Key figures in The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.

- [Leontes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/leontes.md): King of Sicilia, driven by unfounded jealousy that destroys his family and kingdom.
- [Hermione](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/hermione.md): Queen of Sicilia, falsely accused of adultery by her husband Leontes.
- [Polixenes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/polixenes.md): King of Bohemia, Leontes' childhood friend and the object of his jealousy.
- [Perdita](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/perdita.md): Lost daughter of Leontes and Hermione, raised by a shepherd in Bohemia.
- [Florizel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/florizel.md): Prince of Bohemia, son of Polixenes, who falls in love with Perdita.
- [Camillo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/camillo.md): Lord of Sicilia, loyal advisor who flees to Bohemia and later aids the young lovers.
- [Paulina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/paulina.md): Noblewoman of Sicilia, fierce defender of Hermione and keeper of her secret.
- [Antigonus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/antigonus.md): Lord of Sicilia, husband of Paulina, tasked with abandoning the infant Perdita.
- [Mamillius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/mamillius.md): Young son of Leontes and Hermione, whose death deepens the tragedy.
- [Autolycus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/autolycus.md): A roguish peddler and pickpocket who provides comic relief in Bohemia.
- [Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/shepherd.md): Old shepherd who finds and raises the abandoned Perdita as his own daughter.
- [Clown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/clown.md): Shepherd's son, a simple country fellow who becomes involved with Autolycus.
- [Dion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/dion.md): A lord of Sicilia sent to Delphi to consult the oracle.
- [Cleomenes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/cleomenes.md): A lord of Sicilia who travels with Dion to the oracle at Delphi.
- [Emilia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/emilia.md): Lady-in-waiting to Hermione, who attends her during her trial and imprisonment.
- [Archidamus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/archidamus.md): A lord of Bohemia who speaks with Camillo in the opening scene.
- [Dorcas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/dorcas.md): A shepherdess in Bohemia who sings and dances at the sheep-shearing festival.
- [Mopsa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/mopsa.md): A shepherdess in Bohemia, friend of Dorcas, at the sheep-shearing festival.
- [First Lord](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/first_lord.md): A lord of Sicilia who reports on court matters to Leontes.
- [Third Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/third_gentleman.md): A gentleman who recounts the reunion of Leontes and Perdita.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters