ACT I:
Scene 1: The play begins with a conversation between Leontes, the King of Sicilia, and his childhood friend Polixenes, the King of Bohemia. Leontes urges Polixenes to stay longer in Sicilia, but he refuses, and Leontes asks his pregnant wife, Hermione, to convince him. Hermione successfully convinces Polixenes to stay longer, but Leontes becomes jealous and suspects that Hermione and Polixenes are having an affair.
Scene 2: Leontes becomes more paranoid and orders his loyal servant, Camillo, to kill Polixenes. Camillo refuses and instead helps Polixenes escape. Leontes then turns his anger towards Hermione and orders her to be put on trial for adultery and treason.
ACT II:
Scene 1: Hermione is put on trial, and Leontes insists on her guilt, despite the lack of evidence. Hermione gives an eloquent defense of her innocence but is ultimately declared guilty and sentenced to death.
Scene 2: Hermione gives birth to a daughter in prison, and the oracle of Delphi is consulted to determine the truth. The oracle declares Hermione's innocence and says that Leontes will not have an heir until his lost daughter is found.
ACT III:
Scene 1: Sixteen years pass, and the play shifts to Bohemia, where Polixenes' son, Florizel, has fallen in love with Perdita, the daughter of a shepherd. However, Polixenes disapproves of the relationship and forbids his son from marrying Perdita.
Scene 2: Meanwhile, in Sicilia, Leontes is still grieving over his past actions and the loss of his wife and son. Camillo convinces him to seek forgiveness from the gods and to find his lost daughter.
ACT IV:
Scene 1: In Bohemia, Florizel and Perdita plan to elope and seek the help of the Old Shepherd and his son, who have raised Perdita as their own. However, they are interrupted by Polixenes and Camillo, who have followed them.
Scene 2: Polixenes is angry but is eventually won over by Perdita's charm and agrees to let Florizel marry her. Camillo reveals that he is from Sicilia and suggests that they all go there to seek forgiveness from Leontes.
ACT V:
Scene 1: In Sicilia, Leontes receives a letter from Camillo informing him of his arrival with Polixenes and his son. Leontes is overjoyed and prepares to welcome them.
Scene 2: The two parties meet, and Leontes is shocked to see Perdita, whom he recognizes as his lost daughter. He is overcome with emotion and is forgiven by Polixenes and Hermione, who is revealed to have been alive all along.
Scene 3: The play ends with Leontes being reunited with his wife and children, and a celebration is held to mark the happy ending.
Overall, "The Winter's Tale" is a complex play that explores themes of jealousy, forgiveness, and redemption. It is divided into two distinct parts, with the first half being dark and tragic and the second half being light and comedic. The play's structure and themes are reflective of Shakespeare's later works, which often blend tragedy and comedy to create a unique and memorable theatrical experience.