The Winter's Tale, Act 5, Scene 2 summary
Act 5, Scene 2 of 15 · 7 min to read the scene
In Act 5, Scene 2, three gentlemen report that the king’s daughter is identified through surviving objects and testimony, bringing a reunion mixed with grief for Hermione and Antigonus. The royal party goes to see Hermione’s statue, while the newly elevated Shepherd and Clown accept Autolycus’s request for forgiveness and promise him support.
What happens
- The First Gentleman describes the king’s astonishment, and Rogero announces that the missing princess is found.
- Paulina’s steward lists the evidence and describes the royal reunion, including the king’s grief and request for forgiveness.
- The steward reports Antigonus’s death, the shipwreck, and Paulina’s mixture of mourning and joy.
- The gentlemen leave to join the royal party at the house where Paulina keeps Hermione’s statue.
- Autolycus regrets that his bad reputation prevents him from gaining credit for helping uncover the secret.
- The Shepherd and Clown celebrate their new rank, forgive Autolycus, and invite him to follow them.
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In this scene
What to notice
The Shepherd links his new rank to a duty of kindness. His son’s willingness to make false promises offers a contrasting view of gentlemanly conduct.
Quick check
What helps establish that the young woman is the king’s daughter?
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