Summary

Act II

Act II, Scene I, takes place in “Sicilia. A Room in the Palace.” Hermione enters with Mamillius and several ladies. Mamillius is about to tell a story when Leontes enters with Antigonus and several others. Antigonus says he encountered Camillo and Polixenes “behind the tuft of pines.” He says he watched as they went to Polixenes’ ships. Leontes takes this as confirmation that Polixenes is guilty and has run away in shame. Leontes says that Hermione will no longer have any contact with Mamillius. She initially believes he’s teasing her but she quickly realizes that he’s serious. He announces that the baby she carries is fathered by Polixenes and that he won’t recognize it. He announces to everyone present that they might believe Hermione to be virtuous but that she’s actually an adulteress.

Hermione says that Leontes...