Polixenes, King of Bohemia, is ready to depart for home after a nine month visit to the court of his childhood friend Leontes, King of Sicilia. After Leontes’ entreaties for his friend to stay are rebuffed, his pregnant wife, Hermione, sues for Polixenes to remain. When he relents, it awakes the jealous suspicions of Leontes. Convinced that his wife has betrayed him with Polixenes, Leontes employs his loyal aide Camillo to murder his longtime friend.

Camillo instead warns Polixenes, and the two flee for Bohemia. The enraged Leontes imprisons Hermione, who shortly after gives birth to a daughter. Paulina, wife of Leontes’ councilor Antigonus, brings the baby before the king in hopes the sight of his new child will soften his heart. Instead, Leontes orders Antigonus to abandon the infant in the wilderness.

Hermione is brought to trial, where she is proclaimed innocent by the Oracle of Apollo. Leontes ignores the words of the prophet and attempts to proceed with the hearing. However, when word arrives that his young son Mamillius has died, Leontes begins to show remorse. The news of Mamillius’ death causes Hermione to faint, and she is taken from the room. Paulina soon brings word that Hermione, too, has died. Leontes is left to grieve the loss of his family and his friendship with Polixenes, all ruined by his jealous tyranny.

Meanwhile, Antigonus arrives on the barren coast of Bohemia, where he intends to abandon the infant princess hoping against hope that some stranger or even wild beast may take pity on her. He deposits her and a small stash of gold, but is immediately set upon and killed by a wild bear. Rough weather then consumes the ship that brought him there. Fortunately, the young child and her store of gold are found by an old shepherd and his son, who take her into their home.