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The Winter's Tale, Act 5, Scene 1 summary

Act 5, Scene 1 of 15 · 10 min to read the scene

In Act 5, Scene 1, Leontes promises not to remarry without Paulina's permission, then welcomes Florizel and Perdita under a false account of their visit. News that Polixenes pursues them exposes their flight and Perdita's reported low birth, but Leontes agrees to speak for them.

What happens

  1. Cleomenes urges Leontes to forgive himself, while Dion presses the need for an heir and Paulina defends Hermione's memory.
  2. Paulina invokes Apollo's prophecy and makes Leontes promise not to marry without her consent.
  3. A servant announces Florizel and his beautiful companion, stirring memories of Leontes' dead wife and son.
  4. Florizel claims his father sends him and presents Perdita as the daughter of Smalus.
  5. A lord reports that Polixenes pursues the couple and demands his son's arrest, exposing Florizel's account as false.
  6. Florizel asks for help, and Leontes agrees to approach Polixenes, provided the couple's conduct preserves their honor.

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In this scene

LeontesHermionePaulinaPerditaPolixenesFlorizel

What to notice

Leontes gives Paulina authority over remarriage. His promise places loyalty to Hermione above the court's demand for an heir.

Quick check

What does Florizel admit after the lord reports Polixenes' arrival?

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