In William Shakespeare's play, A Winter's Tale, Polixenes wants to leave Leontes' court but Leontes wants him to stay so he asks his wife Hermione to try and persuade him. Polixenes does indeed stay but is then suspected of having an affair with the fair Hermione and Leontes decides to poison Polixenes.
Polixenes is warned by Camillo and the two take leave to Bohemia but Hermione is imprisoned for adultery even though the Delphic oracle has proclaimed her innocence. While in prison, Hermione gives birth to a daughter, who Leontes contests is his.
Leontes then commands Antigonus to take the baby and leave it in the desert in Bohemia, which he does, but then gets eaten by a bear and for Leontes it only progresses to get worse.
His only son, Mamilius dies from grief over his parent's situation, Hermione is also reportedly dead and mourning his losses Leontes goes into seclusion.
The baby who was left for dead in the desert, Perdita, is found by a shepherd and is raised as his daughter.
Time passes and 16 years later, Florizel (son of Polixenes) falls in love with the beautiful Perdita. Polixenes does not approve of his son, a prince, loving a mere shepherdess so Florizel and Perdita flee Bohemia to Sicilia with help from an understanding Camillo.
Back in Sicilia, everyone lives happily ever after.
Florizel and Perdita are welcomed at Leontes' court. Polixenes follows and is also welcomed after a reconcilliation. Perdita's true identity is discovered and Leontes and Polixenes are ecstatic over the engagement of their children.
Although Leontes is happy, Hermione's death is looming over him but Leontes is taken to see a statue of the queen which turns out to be the real Hermione.
