# Florizel — The Winter’s Tale character guide

> Florizel in The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Prince Florizel, the Prince Florizel, Florizel O, Florizel Now, Florizel O Perdita, Florizel Worthy Camillo, Florizel Camillo, Florizel Fortune, Florizel Old sir

**First appearance:** 0012-act-iv

## Snapshot

Bohemia's heir, who falls for a shepherd's daughter and would rather lose a crown than the woman he loves.

## Who they are

Florizel is the son Polixenes watches with growing unease, slipping away from court and princely exercises to linger at a cottage. He loves Perdita openly and without apology, courting her at the sheep-shearing feast in disguise and defying his father's fury when it comes. His willingness to risk succession for love puts him in direct conflict with the older generation's ideas about rank and obedience.

## Relationships

### [Leontes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/leontes)

_family_

Florizel is Leontes' son, though they are estranged for much of the play before eventual reconciliation.

### [Camillo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/camillo)

_professional_

Camillo serves as a loyal advisor and protector to Florizel, helping him escape to Sicily.

### [Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/hermione)

_family_

Florizel is Hermione's son, but he grows up unaware of her survival until the final reunion.

### [Polixenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/polixenes)

_family_

Florizel is Polixenes' son, but they clash over Florizel's choice to marry a shepherdess.

### [Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/shepherd)

_social_

Florizel, disguised as a shepherd, courts the Shepherd's adopted daughter Perdita.

### [Leontes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/leontes)

_family_

Florizel is Leontes' son, though they are estranged for much of the play before eventual reconciliation.

### [Leontes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/leontes)

_family_

Florizel is Leontes' son, though they are estranged for much of the play before eventual reconciliation.

### [Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/shepherd)

_social_

Florizel, disguised as a shepherd, courts the Shepherd's adopted daughter Perdita.

### [Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/hermione)

_family_

Florizel is Hermione's son, but he grows up unaware of her survival until the final reunion.

### [Camillo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/camillo)

_professional_

Camillo serves as a loyal advisor and protector to Florizel, helping him escape to Sicily.

### [Polixenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/polixenes)

_family_

Florizel is Polixenes' son, but they clash over Florizel's choice to marry a shepherdess.

### [Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/hermione)

_family_

Florizel is Hermione's son, but he grows up unaware of her survival until the final reunion.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Introduced as the son of the King of Bohemia, now grown.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Mentioned as being often absent from court and frequently visiting a shepherd's house, where a remarkable daughter lives.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Mentioned as the prince whom Autolycus once served, though he does not appear in this scene.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Plans to flee with Perdita to Sicilia, guided by Camillo.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Arrives in Sicilia with Perdita, claiming to be from Libya; seeks Leontes' help after being pursued by his father.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/florizel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters